Fears that Snapchat parties at Richmond Falls 'could not be policed'

The nearest custody cells are in Harrogate and anyone gathering at the Falls who is arrested at the scene would have to be taken there if a Public Spaces Protection Order is imposed on the River Swale close to Richmond town centre.

There are also concerns that increasing the scrutiny on the Falls would push revellers into more isolated areas of the Dales, such as Arkengarthdale and Keld, to party.

An action plan to prevent repeats of the parties organised via Snapchat and Whatsapp during heatwaves in May and June is currently being discussed.

Youths from all over the north of England turned up at Richmond Falls for the outdoor raves, with many travelling from Teesside and Newcastle.

There were reports of excessive drug use at the beauty spot, and large numbers of nitrous oxide containers were found at the site as well as beer bottles, disposable barbecues and other litter.

Other issues included illegal parking, fighting and general anti-social behaviour.

Richmondshire Council will meet next week to consider applying for a PSPO, which would ban drinking and barbecuing at the Falls and allow police to arrest anyone breaking the terms of the order or issue on-the-spot fines.

However, a period of public consultation is required before a PSPO is enacted and this may not be completed before the end of the summer.

Other proposed measures include spending up to £2,000 each Bank Holiday weekend on security guards, a residents' parking scheme and closing the council’s car park at the Falls.

A report to the committee states the gatherings were 'premeditated parties organised via social media' and involved drunkenness, drug-taking, illegal and inconsiderate parking, littering and other incidents in and around the area.

Members will hear the PSPO would empower the authority to manage any future incidents, enabling it to issue fines of up to £100 for breaches of conditions such as a ban on alcohol and other intoxicating substances.

Coun Helen Grant said the anti-social behaviour had been 'intolerable' for residents and a long-term remedy was needed. She said she was hopeful a decision would be made to pursue launching a PSPO.

“It certainly isn’t a hammer to crack a nut. Residents who have contacted me are passionate about the area. The order would remove the alcohol, drugs, large groups and give the police and council tangible powers.

“An order doesn’t have to be forever - it is reviewed and a further decisions can be made into the future to keep it or remove it.”

She said both herself and Richmond councillor Stuart Parsons had funded road traffic schemes in the area from their county council locality budgets to ease some of the issues.

Coun Grant added: “Emergency vehicles must be able to access Sleegill and were unable to hence why it is still coned. Added CCTV coverage is now in place.”

Concerns have previously been raised over the ability of North Yorkshire Police to respond to such incidents in Richmondshire, given its nearest custody cells are in Harrogate.

Coun Kevin Foster questioned whether the district council would have the resources to enforce the PSPO and said a PSPO that was approved in nearby Colburn had proved to be ineffective.

He said: “I think we are looking at public disorder and the police should deal with it. It is more of an educational and cultural change we need coming out of Covid.

“Launching a PSPO in Richmond could just spread the problem elsewhere, to other places in Richmondshire like Arkengarthdale or Keld.”