Man faced with 'appalling scenes' after visit to beach

TIM HEALEY WAS SHOCKED WHEN HE VISITED THE AREA 16:08, 24 May 2025 A man said he was faced with "appalling scenes" after a visit to a beach. Tim Healey said he visits Red Rocks

Nature Reserve in Hoylake most days - and today, Saturday, May 24, was no different. Red Rocks Marsh is a coastal reserve covering 10 acres of sand dunes, reedbeds and marsh. The reedbed is

important for many species of birds and the open pools support the rare natterjack toad. The reserve lies within the Red Rocks Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). However, when the

64-year-old, from Hoylake, arrived at the beach this morning, he was faced with around 50 glass bottles, many of which had been smashed. Tim said there was other litter left in the area,

including ripped up GCSE exam papers. Speaking to the ECHO Tim said: “I go down to Red Rocks on most days to walk the dogs and check out the wind conditions for wing foiling and today was no

different. I, and others down there, were confronted with appalling scenes of litter and broken bottles of beer and vodka. "If they were going for a world record for broken glass on a

beach, they’ve smashed it - there is glass over a huge area and it will be impossible to pick it all up, although we’ll try. “We also found GCSE papers, unfortunately without names on them,

but it seems clear that after their exams these kids, who presumably are 16-years-old, decided to celebrate by throwing bottles at the rocks." Tim said the glass was also a danger for

dogs as it could cut and injure their paws. He added: “Who is selling them this alcohol, the vodka, how are they getting hold of it? This is a fantastic environment by the sea, it’s

beautiful and we are really lucky to be able to enjoy it. "Young people are supposed to be caring for their environment, but this lot weren’t. I may be of a different generation but

when I was a kid, I wouldn’t even dream of dropping any litter never mind this orgy of smashed bottles.” Radio 1 DJ Greg James, who is in Merseyside for Radio 1 Big Weekend in Sefton Park,

also visited Red Rocks on Friday and described how lovely the area was. However, Tim's friend Jon Caswell, who also lives in Hoylake, said the behaviour from teenagers may have spoilt

the area for families visiting this bank holiday. He said: “Yesterday Greg James from Radio 1, up here for the Big Weekend in Liverpool, was posting pictures on social media saying how

beautiful this area is, because it is. And now this degenerate behaviour is likely to have spoiled any chance of enjoying Red Rocks over this bank holiday weekend. “We regularly visit here

to walk and enjoy the view, and we also bring our grandson to play on the beach but will have to avoid it for a while as will many others. It’s not as if you can sweep up glass off sand.

"I have no doubt many people and dogs will suffer cuts. It’s hooliganism, it’s shocking and those who did this obviously just don’t care. I am appalled.” Tim and other people, including

neighbours, later helped clear the area from the rubbish. Article continues below