Plymouth police crack down on youth 'havoc' in city

Windows of three police cars have been smashed

Police have issued more than 11 dispersal orders to youngsters causing "havoc" in a city centre.

The Plymouth group is suspected of robbing a woman, smashing three police cars' windows and throwing a bike from a car park.

They are also thought to have been behind the theft of a radio from a security team and hurling stones and eggs at buildings and cars.

Officers said six people between 13 and 17 years old had been arrested.

Dispersal orders ban people from returning to an area for a certain period of time.

Extra patrols

Insp James Drake said: "Late last week, the group had reportedly thrown a bike from the first floor of a car park and stolen a radio from Drakes Circus security team and thrown stones and eggs at buildings and cars.

"On each occasion, we have attended and issued dispersal orders and taken these children home.

"We have issued over 11 dispersal orders and will continue to conduct extra patrols in the area."

He said parents had been "most helpful" and were "working with us to find solutions".

"We ask that parents and guardians are mindful of where their children are and what they are doing if they are around the city centre," he said.

"Although we are aware that the incidents are caused by a very small minority of our young population, we know that they are now impacting on people's day-to-day lives, and this is not acceptable.

"There is no excuse for disgraceful and criminal behaviour and although we don't issue dispersal orders often, we are not afraid to use them in an attempt to clamp down on anti-social behaviour and we will be carrying out further arrests where necessary."