PARENTS are urged to take responsibility of their children’s behaviour before someone is seriously injured or killed after a number of cars have been hit by stone-throwing youngsters.

Youths as young as 11 have been spotted throwing objects at vehicles in the Pallister Park area of Middlesbrough and several suspects have been spoken to before they are taken home to their parents by police.

Officers believe that local youths are responsible for the incidents, which have been ongoing over a number of months.

Now, in an effort to reduce the problem, they have spoken to parents and guardians in person and have also hand-delivered letters to the addresses of youths in the local area.

Temporary Neighbourhood Inspector Neil Deluce said: “This has been going on for a while now and we have identified up 60 youths that have been congregating in this area but we don’t believe that all of them are involved.

“We are doing everything within our power to stop these incidents from happening but it’s also down to local parents and guardians to play their part in knowing where their children are and what they are getting up to on an evening. We don’t want to have to knock on their door to tell them that someone has been seriously injured or worse as a result of the actions of their child.”

Local neighbourhood officers along with partner agencies have visited local schools and have used school messaging systems to reach out to parents. Some youths have been interviewed voluntarily and a number of arrests have been made.

Additional resources have been put in place to deal with the incidents and dispersal orders have been issued to disband gangs of youths who may gather in the area.

Middlesbrough Council Neighbourhood Safety Team Manager Sharon Carr said: “The Neighbourhood Safety Team has been working closely with police and together they have identified more than 40 young people allegedly involved with the recent incidents.

“Action against all those involved is ongoing and possible tenancy action will also be considered against those parents living in rented accommodation.

“Colleagues from our Stronger Families department will also be on hand to engage with the young people in an attempt to divert them away from being involved in actions which could result in serious injury or worse.

“Middlesbrough Council takes these incidents very seriously and will utilise new tools and anti-social behaviour powers to ensure that residents of Middlesbrough can go about their daily business without being caused this unnecessary alarm and distress.”