PCSOs assaulted while confiscating children's drugs

As two PCSOs were removing the items, a boy attacked them to reclaim the goods

Two police community support officers (PCSOs) have been assaulted while confiscating drugs and an electric scooter in Weston-super-mare.

It happened on 16 April when the officers seized a small amount of cannabis, drug paraphernalia and an e-scooter from four children - one aged 12 and three aged 15.

While the PCSOs were removing the seized items, one boy attacked the officers and tried to reclaim the goods.

Neighbourhood Insp Lee Kerslake, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: "No one should be assaulted, but especially not colleagues who are working to keep our communities safe."

The PSCOs were able to remain on duty without medical treatment.

All four children are due to attend a police station for an interview, a spokesperson from the force said.

The next day, a 16-year-old was arrested, interviewed and then released on bail.

Neighbourhood policing teams have been carrying out patrols following reports of anti-social behaviour near Sainsbury's

It comes after reports of young people smoking cannabis near Sainsbury's on the Queensway.

It is one of a number of recent incidents involving a small number of young people and anti-social behaviour in the area.

Before the assault, officers spoke to a group of nine boys aged between 12 and 16.

Officers were again alerted to reports of teenagers smoking cannabis and verbally abusing people in the immediate area on 22 April.

Neighbourhood policing teams from Worle and Bournville carried out uniformed patrols to reassure the community and to help deter further incidents, police said.

Insp Kerslake said: "We cannot ignore criminal behaviour, but we aim to work with children, their families and carers, and support services.

"We want children to be safe in our communities and to make sure they have the opportunity and support to make good choices and turn away from anti-social behaviour."