There will be increased patrols and the use of dispersal orders to prevent a repeat of antisocial behaviour around the Little Knavesmire and Albemarle Road area in York over the weekend.
YorkMix reported last Saturday how an outbreak of ‘large scale disorder and violence’ left a 16-year-old York boy in hospital.
North Yorkshire Police are stepping up their action in the area – and they are calling for parents’ support.
Officers say some adults are buying alcohol for teenagers to drink outside – and this must stop. They are also asking parents for their support as they try and prevent further trouble.
Officers will be carrying out increased high-visibility patrols in a bid to deter the unacceptable behaviour seen recently in the area.
Last weekend the Little Knavesmire Twitter account said : “Again. Large scale disorder and violence.
“I’’ll say it one last time .. Something really serious will happen so If you’re in a position to do so, help.
“There are now people being dropped off in cars to get involved in the trouble and parents picking up their kids who must have called them to get away.”
In more recent days the account has tweeted to say that increased police patrols have “made everyone feel much safer and not even a hint of trouble so far… Long may it continue!”
Dispersal orders have been put in place for each day over the weekend, giving officers the ability to make large groups leave the area and prevent them from returning within a specific timeframe.
Sgt Toby Gorwood from the Neighbourhood Police Team told YorkMix: “We have recently seen large groups of people drinking, cars being damaged, and two residents, from Albemarle road, assaulted.
“Our message to parents is … if you’re letting the children out at night, we want you to know who they’re with and where they’re going to be.
“There are people who won’t ask any questions and, in more extreme cases, even supply teenagers with alcohol.”
He says police will use their powers under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing act 2014 to disperse anybody causing trouble.
If they don’t go away they can be arrested. Police have also got the power to confiscate alcohol.
Sgt Gorwood added: “We’re not here to stop people using the open space, but they’ve got to do so respectfully.”
Inspector Lee Pointon of York Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We need to remember that we are still easing our way out of lockdown and we need to keep the ‘roadmap’ on track and not jeopardise our progress.
“We know the last year has been difficult for everyone, but the easing of some restrictions is not a green light to gather in large groups, get drunk and intimidate local people.
“I am calling on parents to help us here, to not buy alcohol for their children, to make sure they know where they are this weekend and understand that they are not invincible when it comes to the virus that could still be spread to their families.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.”