The multi-agency Hartlepool Community Safety Team is urging them to take responsibility for their children’s actions following a recent upsurge in anti-social behaviour in various parts of the town.

Groups of young people aged 9-16 have been gathering outside supermarkets and at retail parks, whilst also congregating in the basement car park at Middleton Grange Shopping centre and at Mill House Leisure Centre.

On one occasion, youths were reported to be throwing items around a fast-food restaurant, abusing staff, refusing to leave and threatening to smash the premises up.

Cleveland Police responded to the on-going problems by recently putting in place a 48-hour Dispersal Order covering the town centre and marina area, and this was backed up by anti-social behaviour patrols involving police officers and Hartlepool Borough Council anti-social behaviour staff.

As a result, over 100 AS13 forms have been issued – formal anti-social behaviour warning letters that are sent to parents. A number of young people have also signed up to Anti-Social Behaviour Agreements.

Councillor Shane Moore, Chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership and Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “There has been a noticeable increase in problems in recent weeks, and we are simply not prepared to tolerate this sort of behaviour.

“Working with our partners in the Hartlepool Community Safety Team we have been taking and will continue to take proactive action to tackle this issue and protect the law-abiding majority of residents of this town.

“However, we can only do this with the support of parents and it is vital that they know the whereabouts of their children and what they are doing.”

Chief Inspector Pete Littlewood, of Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing, added: “Anti-social behaviour can be a blight on our communities and can cause significant detriment to the wellbeing of those living in the town.  Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team is committed to targeting issues relating to anti-social behaviour when they arise, with officers utilising all powers available - such as additional patrols, dispersal orders and issuing AS13s to congregating youths - to ensure that those living in the town feel safe.”

Whilst the Hartlepool Community Safety Team continues to address anti-social behaviour occurring around the town, which includes outreach staff engaging directly with young people, members of the public and businesses are also being urged to report non-emergency incidents to the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.