Three youths were hospitalised after having an unknown substance thrown in their faces during an attack on a beach.
The disturbance took place on Longsands Beach in Tynemouth, North Tyneside, in England at around 9.30pm on Friday.
Police said there had been reports of a large number youths engaged in disorder.
Officers discovered three males needed treatment after a substance was thrown in their faces causing “non-life threatening injuries”.
One of the trio also suffered an eye injury after being kicked in the head. The disturbance is understood to have occurred near Crusoe’s restaurant, which is located on the beach.
A North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) spokesperson told the Newcastle Chronicle: “We received several calls around 9.30pm yesterday to reports of an alleged assault on Longsands in Tynemouth.
“We dispatched a paramedic ambulance, a clinical team leader and a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) crew. Three patients were treated and taken to hospital.”
Northumbria Police said a dispersal notice remains in place in the area until midday on Sunday allowing them to direct people to leave.
A force spokesperson said: “Extra patrols are being carried out in the North Tyneside area across the weekend as part of the multi-agency Operation Coastwatch, with zero tolerance towards disorder.
“The coastal area remained busy into the evening yesterday (Friday) when at 9.30pm, disorder involving a large number of youths broke out on Longsands Beach, Tynemouth, which officers quickly attended.
“One male suffered an injury to his eye after being kicked in the head and had an unknown substance thrown in his face, while two other males had an unknown substance thrown in their faces. All three males were taken to hospital for treatment to non-life threatening injuries.
“This incident does not reflect the tone of the majority of the evening and additional resources, from both police and partners, are in place over the weekend to ensure local residents and visitors to the area can enjoy themselves safely.”
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