Police purge on youths 'who are running riot'

Officers confiscated booze and ordered dozens of youngsters to behave as part of the week-long crackdown.

Police took the action after receiving numerous complaints from residents of youths running riot.

Behaviour included drinking in the street, throwing stones at cars and intimidating passers-by and residents.

The clampdown last week was led by community beat bobbies Adam Gordon and Justin Brown along with special constables.

Police issued seven Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) to youths aged 13-15 in a bid to force them to behave.

The contracts also ban them from entering the grounds of Cherry Fold School, Swindon Street, which has been a nuisance hot spot. Officers also issued 11 referral forms to youths on Raglan Road, Piccadilly Road, and the grounds of the Cherry Fold School and also confiscated a large amount of alcohol.

PC Adam Gordon said: "Youth nuisance is a big problem in the Trinity area at the moment. Sometimes the youngsters are not actually doing any harm, they are simply congregating with their friends.

"However, at other times residents do experience problems with under-age drinking and anti-social behaviour.

"We recognise that this impacts greatly on the quality of life of local residents which is why we decided to run a special operation to disrupt the activity of these youths.

"Throughout the week-long operation, a good number of young people were spoken to and appropriate action was taken including the issuing of ABCs and the seizure of various quantities of alcohol.

"Some of the youths involved are out very late and drinking copious amounts of alcohol which must not be going unnoticed by parents. With this in mind, I would ask them to give us their full co-operation.

"This is not the first time we have run such an operation and it certainly won't be the last. Youth nuisance and anti-social behaviour is something neither the police nor local residents are prepared to put up with and firm action will be taken as appropriate."