TEENAGERS arriving at Irvine train station for booze-filled fun on the beach were sent packing by police officers this Bank Holiday weekend.


Hundreds of youngsters descended on Irvine Beach - with 500 alone arriving on Saturday - to enjoy the sunshine on the Ayrshire coast.


But the Times can reveal that a handful of teenagers who had arrived from Glasgow armed with alcohol were sent back home by eagle-eyed officers who spotted their loot. 


Inspector Colin Convery said: “On the whole the weekend has been trouble free. There was one incident where some young people had been stopped at Irvine Train Station on Monday (May 28) and sent back to their home addresses in Glasgow, but that was to do with them carrying alcohol. Aside from that there was no arrests or incidents to speak of on Irvine Beach.”


Coastwatch’s Billy Lamb said the police had dealt with the influx of teenagers “brilliantly”.


He told the Times: “On Saturday there were around 500 kids on this beach and at least 28 police officers who were patrolling up and down the whole time. 


“There was no trouble or anything of that nature and then when it started to get later on in the day the police just made sure they knew which train to get and made sure they were on it. 


“They dealt with it brilliantly and the kids all managed to have a great day and enjoy the beach.”


The Ayrshire coast proved to be a big draw for youngsters from across the West of Scotland with thousands arriving over the weekend and on Bank Holiday Monday more than 2,000 teenagers visited Troon Beach.


The police crackdown comes after Ayrshire’s beaches were invaded by thousands of teens in July last year, causing mass disruption.


Police launched their safer shores initiative last week, deploying officers to beaches and transport hubs, with North Ayrshire’s top cop warning in advance that any incidents of criminality would be dealt with robustly.


Chief Inspector Brian Shaw, Area Commander in North Ayrshire, says the patrols will be ongoing as the good weather continues.


He said: “With the good weather set to continue we do anticipate a significant number of people will head to the beaches of North Ayrshire.
“We will have additional officers on patrol in the area – incidents of criminality and antisocial behaviour will be dealt with robustly.


“I would also like to remind everyone that drinking alcohol in public is an offence and could result in offenders receiving a fixed penalty notice.”


Sergeant Jason Peter, of the Irvine Locality Policing Team, said “Ayrshire Safer Shores involves a wide range of partners who come together to safeguard members of the public who visit the Ayrshire coastline, ensuring they can travel safely, are safe from crime and disorder and have a pleasant visitor experience.


“Additional officers were deployed in the area supported by our partners and national police resources including the Mounted Branch. These patrols will continue and officers will take robust action where necessary to deal with those intent on causing disorder.”


Police Scotland launched their Safer Shores Initiative last week alongside British Transport Police, North Ayrshire Council, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, HM Coastguard Search and Rescue, the NHS and transport providers.