NEIGHBOURHOOD officers are asking parents to keep a close eye on where their children are on an evening after an increase in antisocial behaviour

Officers at Cleveland Police have seen up to 40 youths congregating around properties on the Ings Estate, near to Dover Close, in Redcar.

Dispersal orders have been put in place to try to combat the issue and a 14-year-old male was arrested in connection with failing to comply with a dispersal notice after refusing to leave the area.

The male is currently being dealt with in regards to this offence.

The dispersal notices have been granted for the area bounded by Redcar Lane, Redcar Road and Greenstones Road, including the parade of shops on Embleton Court.

If issued with a dispersal notice, it is a criminal offence to return to the area for up to 48 hours of being issued with a dispersal notice – the period of time is specified by police when the dispersal order is put in place.

Officers have had reports of the youths throwing stones at cars and properties, swearing and being verbally abusive to residents.

When spoken to by local residents, some of the youths have been reported to have become aggressive and confrontational.

Other issues have also been reported at Holyhead Drive and at McDonalds on Thrush Road.

Nathan Henderson, Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), said: “Police have been receiving reports of problems with large groups of youths, particularly around the Ings Estate and Holyhead Drive, for some weeks now.

“We would ask parents to work with us as we try to deal with the issues that these youths are causing for local residents and find out where their kids are on an evening and what they are getting up to. Some of these local residents feel intimidated and upset, and it is not acceptable to have people feeling like that, especially in their own homes.

“The youths responsible are primarily aged around 14, but we have seen teenagers of all ages gathering in these groups. We have reports of these youths squaring up to local residents, swearing and being verbally abusive to people in the area of Dover Close, and at Holyhead Drive we have had reports of youths starting fires and causing criminal damage.

“We will continue with these dispersal orders to tackle the problem and will make arrests where necessary. Local residents should not have to put up with these problems and the neighbourhood team is doing everything possible to try to bring these issues to an end, but we need parents to work with us.”

Anyone suffering antisocial behaviour is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously.