Hampton, NH Police Make 16 Weekend Arrests

Hampton police made nine arrests on Friday night and another seven on Saturday night after increasing their presence on the beach because of a possible large gathering.

"You will see a large police presence in the area. We have not received any information regarding threats associated with this event but want you to know we are taking this seriously and will be strictly enforcing our laws," the department wrote on its Facebook page on Friday. A subsequent post around 9:15 p.m said officers moved a large crowd  from the sand and made nine arrests.

Saturday night the department said on its Facebook page it dealt with a "loud disorderly group that was drinking alcohol and throwing glass at police" near the State Seashell Complex. The seven additional arrests were made while the crowd was being dispersed, according to police, the majority charged with disorderly conduct.

Police chief David Hobbs told WMUR on Saturday that given the hot weather police would have more of a presence all weekend and would be looking for individuals drinking alcohol on the beach which is prohibited.  Hobbs on Saturday did not respond to Seacoast Current's request for more information about the arrests or the crowd size on Friday night

A gathering in Hampton on May 26 that drew 500 people and several fights in response to an "invitation" on TikTok led the state to make additional resources available during the summer season, according to Gov. Chris Sununu.

Hobbs said that he expects Hampton Beach to be a popular destination as part of a record setting travel season.

"We are incredibly grateful for the collaboration between the New Hampshire State Police, county law enforcement, and the Hampton Police Department to ensure that visitors and residents enjoy all that Hampton has to offer this summer."

This story was updated Sunday morning to report the additional arrests on Saturday.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ