Know where your children are, parents urged

The appeal, issued by the Hartlepool Community Safety Team, aims to address anti-social behaviour by young people.

Particular concern has been voiced recently over a series of over incidents in the town’s Throston Ward where youths have been accused of intimidating residents by tapping on the windows of their bungalows. In one case a window was broken by a golf ball. On another occasion, a youth rode a bicycle at a mother and her young son, badly frightening the child. The youths are also said to be throwing fireworks

The incidents are said to involve a small group of youths moving between Throston Grange estate and the play area next to Hartfields at Bishop Cuthbert where they have also been throwing fireworks.

Steps have been taken by Cleveland Police to address the issues, but parents are also being urged to play their part

The multi-agency Hartlepool Community Safety Team comprises staff from Hartlepool Borough Council, Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade and aims to provide a co-ordinated response to crime and anti-social behaviour issues.

Nicholas Stone, the Council’s Neighbourhood Safety Team Leader, said: “Anti-social behaviour can have a really corrosive effect on the quality of residents’ lives and we are not prepared to tolerate it.

“However, it is vital that parents support our efforts to bring such behaviour to an end wherever and whenever it is occurring.

“They must take responsibility for their children’s behaviour and it is important that they know where they are and what they are doing.”

Cleveland Police have launched Operation Autumnus, an annual force-wide initiative, to deal with issues that traditionally lead to an increased call on its resources at this time of the year.

Superintendent Sharon Cooney said: “It’s a combination of factors which sadly can lead to more reporting of anti-social behaviour, including darker nights, schools being closed and people choosing to mark Halloween in a way which is intimidating for others in their community.

“We’d make a plea to parents to ensure they know where their children are and if they’re going out at night they know what they’re planning to do.

“Many people will enjoy activities such as Trick or Treating but we’d ask them to spare a thought for the more vulnerable members of their community who dread this time of year and, for example, only call at houses of people they know.”

Craig Strike, Head of Prevention and Engagement at Cleveland Fire Brigade said: “We would appeal to everyone to act responsibly at this time of year and not put any extra pressure on our resources. It would certainly help if parents know where their children are and what they are doing.”

Anyone wishing to report anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhood can call Cleveland Police on 101 or, alternatively, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.