DUISENDE teenagers and young people descended on Cape Town’s popular Clifton and Camps Bay beaches on Saturday, 3 October, with some celebrations ending in arrests, ’n vrag of fines and about 1 000 units of alcohol confiscated.

Social media posts showed large crowds gathering at several Cape Town beaches over the weekend, highlighting concern among residents and increased enforcement activity.

Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said Camps Bay SAPS, together with other law enforcement agencies, was deployed to Clifton and Camps Bay beaches, where between 3 000 and 4 000 young people gathered .

Twigg said: “We can confirm that a 16-year-old boy was arrested for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol when he caused an accident with a City of Cape Town law enforcement vehicle.”

Four other people, aged 17 and 18, were arrested for allegedly assaulting a law enforcement officer, he said.

“Numerous fines were issued for drinking in public, and alcohol was confiscated,” Twigg said.

City Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason said the affected areas included Clifton’s First to Fourth beaches, Camps Bay Beach and Maiden’s Cove.

Dyason added: “Clifton Beach experienced the highest concentration of activity and was the most significantly affected.

“A juvenile sustained a minor ear injury following an altercation with another minor who allegedly took his cap,” Dyason said.

The alleged offender was arrested and subsequently released into the care of his parents.

Dyason also confirmed that a minor was arrested for drunken driving after causing damage to a City Law Enforcement vehicle. The minor was subsequently released into the care of his parents.

The City said 64 fines were issued for alcohol-related offences under the Coastal By-law.

“Approximately 1,000 units of alcohol were confiscated and impounded during enforcement operations,” Dyason said.

The enforcement operation involved the City’s law enforcement services, Camps Bay SAPS, the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Police Department and City Traffic Services.

The City said it had been alerted to the anticipated gatherings by the Clifton City Improvement District.