PARENTS are being asked to "step up to the plate" by police who say their children are causing trouble on the streets of a County Durham town.

Stanley Police sergeant Emma Kay made the plea after several "shocking" incidents in the town centre.

CCTV footage has been released of the worst incident which involved about 100 teenagers on November 3.

The Northern Echo:

Officers had attended the scene after receiving reports of a vulnerable female and the footage shows them being surrounded by the youths and even having bricks and fireworks thrown at them.

Sgt Kay is appealing directly to parents to take responsibility for their children’s behaviour.

She said: "Over the last few weeks we have faced outbreaks of out of control children in the town centre.

"On November 3 this year, officers were called to a report of a vulnerable female at Stanley bus station. Upon attendance they faced up to 100 teenagers who surrounded them.

"Officers tried to disperse the crowds but there were a hardcore group of about 20 people who threw bricks, fireworks and attacked my officers.

"One PCSO was punched in the face by a young person. Disorder of this kind is totally unacceptable and violence against our officers will not be tolerated.

"Action will be taken against all the individuals involved in that incident that night and Stanley Police will continue to take positive action against anybody involved in this type of behaviour."

She added: "Parents were asked to come and review the footage from the officers' body cams of the incident that night. They all agreed the behaviour of their children was appalling.

"Whilst there is a hardcore group of individuals involved in this incident there are many, many people stood on the sidelines - young people who are going to affect their life chances by continuing to engage in this type of behaviour.

The Northern Echo:

"We are asking for parents to step up to the plate, take responsibility for your children." 

She said: “We’re asking parents to take control and sign up to our Be Informed scheme, a free text alert service warning families of any disorder so they can get their kids out of harm’s way.”

  • To sign up to Be Informed email stanley@durham.pnn.police.uk