Action on teen mob menace (From Penarth Times)

Action on teen mob menace

INTIMIDATING groups of up to 60 youths are congregating every Friday at Penarth Esplanade, vandalising the pier and bothering local gymnasts, say police.

The youngsters, aged 12 to 16, possibly using alcohol, are gathering on the seafront and in parks, and they leave a trail of graffiti, it was reported.

Last week police moved in to tackle the problem after complaints from Esplanade users. Officers plan to return to the scene tomorrow night.

Police say that youngsters of both sexes have been annoying Penarth Gymnastics Club members, who train at the Pavilion.

Inspector Sid Griffiths said: "The club has a class for mentally handicapped children on Friday evenings, and they've suffered trouble caused by the youngsters.

"They have been knocking on doors, going in, just generally being a nuisance. There are also problems when parents pick up children, with anti-social behaviour, such as shouting."

He added: "Youths are also congregating on the bandstand in Alexandra Park, perhaps experimenting with alcohol."

Insp Griffiths said the youngsters may come from as far as Llandough and Sully to meet friends in Penarth.

He asked parents to keep an eye on where their children were going. However, he added: "The majority of youngsters in Penarth are law-abiding. Of the 60 youths, the majority are decent, but some are spoiling it for others."

The vandalism follows a spate of unrelated incidents in Penarth. Recently, Penarth Operatic and Dramatic Society discovered an advertising banner on the wall of Holy Nativity Church had disappeared, while another poster in a frame outside the RAFA Club had been ripped out.

Mary Gardener, marketing officer, said: "I'm at a loss to know who would be so vindictive as to commit such a petty act."

The items will now have to be replaced by the charitable organisation. Complaints have also been raised over vandalism at the Billy Banks, Belle Vue Council Offices and Windsor Gardens.