Two young offenders admit to smashing bus windows in Crook

In Crook, there were four incidents of criminal damage in which stones were thrown at bus windows over the last three months.

A fire was also started in a public toilet last year.

To tackle patches of criminality within the town, Operation Habu was launched five weeks ago when patrolling PCSO Keith Jayne had the idea to text parents of young people who were acting in an anti-social manner.

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The operation comes as The Northern Echo, looking into anti-social behaviour through a special report, investigated how the police, council and residents have reacted to a small increase in the amount of crime in Crook.

According to the neighbourhood policing team, the new approach, which is supported by Durham County Council, is already paying off with a noticeable reduction in incidents over recent weeks.

PCSO Jayne said: “We patrol all the hot spot areas where we receive reports of antisocial behaviour and noticed that the few young people who were causing most of the issues were more than likely not where they’d told their parents they were.

An Arriva bus was targeted by a glass bottle earlier this year. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.

“After contacting the parents directly, we agreed to text them if their children were causing issues and it’s really taken off with 90 per cent of parents giving us their details so they can nip any issues in the bud.

“We already work closely with the council’s anti-social behaviour team and submit reports on individuals so further action can be taken but we’ve found this is a really quick and effective way to notify parents, the majority of which are mortified that their children are behaving anti-socially.”

The new operation is just one of the ways officers are tackling the heart of the issue.

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After investigating the bus window damage and fire in the public toilet, two teenage boys have since been arrested and admitted criminal offences.

They, along with five others, are now being dealt with by the Youth Offending Team and witnesses for some of the bus incidents are being sought as investigations continue.

The team is also liaising closely with local group Crook Against Anti-Social Behaviour to keep residents informed of the work along with local councillors and MP Richard Holden.

Glass shards on the seats of an Arriva bus after a window is put through. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.

Neighbourhood Inspector in Crook, Ed Turner, said it was important that the community felt heard, and the new operation was proving effective, thanking parents for their continued support.

Inspector Turner said: “Operation Habu is a good example of problem-solving partnership work and something we’re keen to show the community we are working on.

“It’s great to have the majority of parents on board and it’s really been turning a corner now following the incidents with the buses - we’ve not seen a significant criminal damage in Crook for some time and that’s all thanks to the community helping us to help them.

“However, there are still some parents who need to take responsibility for their children and who know where they are when incidents happen. We will continue to work with them and urge them to take that personal responsibility.”

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