Couple left scared to leave their own holiday home as 'hordes of teenagers' wage campaign of chaos

A couple have been left scared to leave their own holiday home after "hordes of teenagers" waged a campaign of chaos in the area.

Six years ago, Wayne and Carol Henshaw purchased their static caravan at Redcar Beach Caravan Park to celebrate their anniversary.

But the pair's dreams of peaceful escapes by the Yorkshire coast have been plunged into disarray after troublemaking youths began tormenting holidaymakers in the area.

According to the couple, youngsters have set fire to outdoor furniture, jumped on the roofs of caravans and even used the park "as a toilet".

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Tingdene - the site's owner - confirmed it was seeking to root out anti-social behaviour in the area alongside Redcar and Cleveland Council and local police.

Mrs Henshaw, 65, told the BBC that the youths were "marauding" through the park and passing through it to access the beach.

She said: "It is very intimidating when you have got hordes of teenagers in a group shouting and throwing things.

"Tingdene say they take the safety of caravan owners seriously, but they don't do anything."

Mr Henshaw said he had witnessed groups taking part in an "organised fight" on the dunes, with bets being placed on who would beat each other.

The duo also said the teens had stolen a gas canister before blowing it up at the site.

And they claimed the group of unruly youths had hurled food and rocks at them unprovoked.

The Henshaws urged the site's owner to bolster security measures at the park, with upgraded fencing to be erected around the perimeter to keep the troublemakers out.

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Tingdene acknowledged that recent incidents caused "concern and frustration" among caravan owners at the park and insisted that they took safety of those within it with the upmost seriousness.

The operator said it had reported instances of anti-social behaviour to both the local authority and Cleveland Police.

However, Tingdene said it would be unable to put measures in place on the dunes, as the area is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)..

The organisation said: "As the dunes are protected land, any proposals for additional fencing, barriers or access controls require consultation and approval from the relevant authorities and environmental bodies.

"This is not land owned or controlled by Tingdene Holiday Parks and our ability to undertake works within the SSSI is therefore limited."

Labour councillor Carl Quartermain confirmed he has established a team to try and tackle the issues plaguing the site.

The partnership includes the police, Natural England, Tingdene, Tees River Trust, Cleveland Golf Club, PD Ports and officials from the council.

Mr Quartermain said: "We need everyone around the table working towards practical solutions that improve safety, protect the environment and support local businesses and visitors."

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