Police warn children over anti-social behaviour in Gloucester this Easter

Children are being warned that police will not tolerate anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Gloucester during the Easter break.

It follows reports that a large group of youths were causing alarm to members of the public in the Abbeymead area last Saturday (21 March).

Officers received multiple reports that the teenagers were stealing from shops, letting off fireworks and disrupting traffic.

Police have said they will take direct action to curb any ASB, including putting in place Section 34 dispersal orders to stop youths from gathering. They will also be carrying out patrols in known hotspots.

Parents are also being asked to keep an eye on their children and be aware of what they are doing.

During previous school holidays, police have put in place dispersal orders for parts of the city following reports of anti-social behaviour by teenagers.

This has included intimidating members of the public and shop workers, theft, criminal damage and assault.

The order allows officers to direct any groups of two or more to leave an area for up to 48 hours, if it is believed that the behaviour of the group is likely to result in members of the public being harassed, alarmed or distressed.

Anyone who has been directed to leave the designated area by an officer and who returns within that time frame can be arrested.

Inspector James O’Neill, from Gloucester Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Everybody has the right to live in and visit our city without fear. This type of irresponsible behaviour affects the local community and businesses, and we are doing all we can to deter it.

"Should we get any reports of teenagers causing anti-social behaviour in parts of our city, we will not hesitate in taking action to ensure everybody's safety.

“As we go into the Easter holidays, I would urge parents and carers to please take responsibility for your children, be aware of where they are, what they are doing and who they are with.”

Anyone who may know the identity of the teenagers causing ASB in Abbeymead, or may have information that could assist officers, is asked to get in touch.

You can provide information online by completing the following form on our website, quoting incident 470 of 21 March: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/ 

Information can also be given to police by calling 101.