POLICE officers joined community volunteers to crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

In recent weeks the neighbourhood team covering Gosforth have received a steady increase of reports of teenage children gathering in Gosforth Central Park just off the high street.

Many of the children are travelling from other areas to congregate in large numbers in the park which has led to reports of anti-social behaviour.

There have also been a couple of nasty assaults reported in the park and on one occasion a member of the public had to be taken to hospital.

An investigation into those incidents are ongoing but now officers have hosted a walkabout in the park with local councillor Henry Gallagher and volunteers from the Friend of Gosforth Park.

Sgt Ashley Palmer said: “The purpose of this walkabout was to bring Mr Gallagher and the park volunteers up to speed with what was happening in the park.

“We have had an increasing number of reports about anti-social behaviour in the park and also a couple of nasty assaults, some of which have been reported third hand.

“A policing plan is in place to stop these groups gathering in the park and that will involve targeted patrols at the times of day where these groups are gathering.

“We are also asking parents to make sure they know what their children are up to and to discourage their children from playing any part in these groups.

“Our message is quite simple, anyone involved in crime or anti-social behaviour that causes misery to local residents and businesses will become the focus of our partnership work.

“No one should feel intimidated in their own community and we will continue to work hard to make our region a safer place to live."

Anyone who wants to report anti-social behaviour can do so by contacting police on 101 or by reporting it online at www.northumbria.police.uk/contact