POLICE in Melksham and Calne have appealed to parents and guardians to help identify teenagers who are causing problems with their anti-social behaviour.

Officers are urging people to call 101 or report incidents on the police website if they see anti-social behaviour taking place around the King George V park or skatepark.

The move follows teenagers in Melksham seen acting in an abusive or intimidating way, as well as reports of assaults, robberies and criminal damage.

In Calne, police have also seen an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour and criminality, including criminal damage, drug and alcohol misuse.

Melksham Police said: “We believe there is a key group of six or seven young people who are the focus of our enquiries, but at times people have reported up to 20 young people gathering and causing trouble. We believe they are mostly aged between 12 and 15.

“Over the summer holidays we were aware that the King George V park had become a hotspot for repeat anti-social behaviour, very often involving the same group of young people.

“This has continued even after the schools have gone back, and police officers and PCSOs have been carrying out regular proactive patrols of the area to try to provide reassurance and act as a deterrent to anyone looking to cause trouble.”

PCSO Mark Cook, of Calne Neighbourhood Police Team, said they will target teenagers hanging around in large groups and behaving in an anti-social manner.

“We have sent out over 10 letters to youths living in Calne, Devizes, Highworth and Swindon.

"These reports have predominantly involved younger members of our community. As a result you may see an increased police presence in some areas whilst we tackle this.

"We are doing all we can to minimise the impact that these individuals are having on the community; however the parents and guardians of these children are equally responsible for preventing their children becoming involved in crime or anti-social behaviour.

“We do not wish to criminalise young people, but we do however need to balance this against the impact that some individuals are having on the local community."

"Officers will also be looking to engaging positively with youths while on their patrols as a preventive measure.

“Parents receiving our letters will enable them to make more informed decisions on how they allow their child to spend their free time.

"This will also allow parents/guardians to hold open discussions with their children on the consequences of any potential involvement in crime or anti-social behaviour. We are hoping that parents will work with us to address this current issue.

“While the letters are designed to keep parents informed of their child’s behaviour, they can also be used to support behavioural orders and other more formal actions which can be taken to address the behaviour in some of our more persistent offenders."

PC Jack Bush, from the Melksham Community Policing Team, has been liaising with partners, including local schools, to try to tackle the issue.

He said: “We are hoping that a combined approach of visible policing and partnership work, will help reduce the problems in the park, but we are also appealing to local parents to help us.

“Do you know where your children are hanging out, who they are with and what they might be up to?

“We know that there are sometimes a large group of young people congregating in the park and causing problems, and we want the parents of these children to ensure they are doing their bit to help reduce anti-social behaviour.

“We also want to encourage anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour or crimes being committed, to report these to the police.

"The park and skate park is there for everyone to enjoy without feeling uncomfortable or threatened, and we all need to work together to ensure this happens.”

To help, call 101 quoting reference number 54210067992 or dial 999 in an emergency.

PC Jack Bush, from the local policing team, has been liaising with partners, including local schools, to try to tackle the issue.

He said: “We are hoping that a combined approach of visible policing and partnership work, will help reduce the problems in the park, but we are also appealing to local parents to help us.

“Do you know where your children are hanging out, who they are with and what they might be up to?

“We know that there are sometimes a large group of young people congregating in the park and causing problems, and we want the parents of these children to ensure they are doing their bit to help reduce anti-social behaviour.

“We also want to encourage anyone who witnesses ASB or crimes being committed, to report these to the police. The park and skate park is there for everyone to enjoy without feeling uncomfortable or threatened, and we all need to work together to ensure this happens.”

To help, call 101 quoting reference number 54210067992 or dial 999 in an emergency.