Arson, threatening behaviour, drugs, hazardous driving – residents in one area of York have suffered a nightmare week at the hands of gangs of youths.
Police say there have been more than 25 incidents of what they describe as “high level anti-social behaviour” in the Chapelfields area between August 9 and 16.
Anti-social use of mopeds and motorcycles, drug use and criminal damage have been reported in this eight-day period.
Groups of up to 30 youths in number, who are causing this disruption, have also been using threatening and abusive language towards residents and the police.
And now officers are saying, “No more.”
Firework attack on house
Some of the reported incidents included
- a flat window being forced open and fireworks thrown inside
- a youth threatening an officer with a piece of wood
- a group climbing onto the school roof, where the skylight has been previously smashed by youths.
The incidents have taken places across various locations in the area including Bramham Road, Bramham Avenue, Chaplefields Road, Westfield Place and Barkston Grove.
To tackle the gangs, a dispersal order was implemented at 5pm on Thursday (August 17) which will last for 48 hours.
The order covers an area of Bramham Road which includes the junction of Barkston Grove, and another area of Bramham Road which covers Costcutter, and the junctions either side of Bramham Avenue.
Anyone who breaks the order will be arrested. If the order is successful, it will be continued throughout next week.
‘Scared in their own home’
Inspector Lee Pointon of the York North Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The levels of anti-social behaviour this group are committing is just astonishing and they are causing so much misery amongst the community in Chaplefields.”
He added:
This is totally unacceptable behaviour.
These youths are ruining what should be a respectable community enjoying the summer months and school holidays.
Instead, we are seeing this group of defiant individuals who have no intentions other than to be nasty, cause desolation and despair amongst the public.
Insp Pointon said his team of officers and PCSOs are “working hard to identify these youths and exercise the powers we can to deter them from this anti-social behaviour”.
Anyone who witnesses incidents or who has any information is asked to contact police.
How to help the police
| Call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and ask for the Force Control Room |
| Or call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 |