CCTV to tackle anti-social teens 'scaring' shopkeepers

PCC Donna Jones said she was "very concerned" by what she had seen in Shirley

A police boss has pledged to fund additional CCTV on a high street after anti-social behaviour led to shopkeepers saying they were "scared to go to work".

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Donna Jones met businesses to discuss her plans to invest £150,000 in the project.

It comes after people working on Shirley High Street, Southampton, said last month they were being targeted by teens and young people causing "chaos" in the area.

In response to the incidents, Jones said she was "very concerned" by what she had seen and would respond with the "full force of the law".

The PCC vowed to work with Southampton City Council to pay for more CCTV and for security to be on the high street and the surrounding area for the next 10 weeks, working closely with police.

Naani Shaik runs a Subway store that was targeted by youths

A video recorded by Naani Shaik in Subway sandwich shop showed a group of young people smashing the store window in July.

Mr Shaik, who runs the shop, said believed Jones had responded "very well" and was pleased with her plans.

Muhammad Usman, manager of Phone Hub, added: "We don't know if this will work or if it will improve but we hope - and what I've noticed is they are taking it seriously now."

The money for the project will come from the PCC's anti-social behaviour fund.

Jones said she was also concerned that not enough was being done to punish those involved and that she would make sure those responsible were "brought before the courts".

Police have been conducting additional patrols focused on the high street's busier times

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said a 14-year-old girl had been charged with five offences, including assault, criminal damage and arson as part of an ongoing investigation into anti-social behaviour in the area.

The girl, from Southampton, has been charged with two counts of assault, one of criminal damage, one of arson and one of breaching a Section 35 dispersal order direction.

She will appear at Southampton Youth Court on 1 September.

The force added that it was consulting with the CPS about "a number of further alleged offences committed in Shirley".