A SPATE of eggings has led to calls for shops to stop selling baking goods to youths.

Cllr Jon Rathmell, independent councillor for Nunthorpe, has led calls for shops around the leafy suburb and neighbouring Marton to stop selling items such as eggs, flour, ketchup and mayonnaise to teenagers.

The call comes following a spate of incidents in which youths have thrown eggs and flour at people’s cars and houses.

Cllr Rathmell said the trend has also seen mischief makers douse cars in condiments such as ketchup and mayonnaise.

“In the last two weeks, there has been a spike in antisocial behaviour by a number of youths” said Cllr Rathmell.

“The latest craze appears to be them buying eggs and flour to throw at people’s houses and cars.

“It is unacceptable and distressing for the victims.

“As a three-pronged approach to tackle this issue, Nunthorpe’s Neighbourhood Policing Team and I have contacted local businesses asking that they do not sell these items to children in groups or who they suspect are up to mischief.

“This has been greatly received by local businesses including Sag Hussain.”

The Northern Echo:

Mr Hussain, who runs Premier Stores at the Avenue Shops in Nunthorpe, said: “As a business owner I have always had the philosophy that community counts.

“Anytime someone raises a potential issue or I notice a trend developing, whether this is antisocial behaviour or something which could lead to it, I nip it in the bud and take positive action.

“In recent months I have worked with various teams from the council and more recently I took the step to implement an over 18 policy for energy drinks.

“Currently it is not set at 18, but I pride myself on extremely high standards to ensure we maintain a great community.

“I have worked closely with Jon over the last few years and when we discussed this I realised it was an issue in Marton which was starting to spill over into Nunthorpe.

“I immediately supported Jon’s initiative and this should reduce any incidents of antisocial behaviour.

“As a responsible retailer I fully support this scheme and I have put policies in place to prevent this from happening in Nunthorpe, it would be great to see other businesses follow my lead.”

Posting on the Nunthorpe Working Together Facebook page, Christine Harris wrote: “Not a prank or funny.”

And Patricia Ann Knowles posted: “What pleasure do they get from this? Mindless idiots.”

In a letter, sent to grocery shops in Marton and Nunthorpe, Cllr Rathmell wrote: “I am working in conjunction with Cleveland Police to deal with the issue of antisocial behaviour.

“One of the biggest issues lately is youths buying the following items: Eggs, flour, tomato ketchup and mayonnaise.

“These items are being thrown at residents’ cars, houses and property locally.

“Having spoken to other retailers, they have agreed not to sell the above items to groups of youths or those they suspect may be purchasing them for youths.

“It would be great if you would support myself, Cleveland Police and the local community in tackling this issue and making it more difficult for those with negative intentions to purchase the above items.”

Cleveland Police have been contacted for comment.