Anti-social behaviour prompts plea to parents

Parents are being asked to play their part in tackling anti-social behaviour in a Lincolnshire town following a spate of recent late-night incidents.

Lincolnshire Police imposed a dispersal order for North Hykeham, near Lincoln, from 3-5 July after reports of disorder the previous weekend.

While many young people complied with the restrictions, on 3 July a group near St Aiden's Park were found to be intoxicated, shouting, swearing, playing loud music and littering, police said.

Officers were subjected to verbal abuse, aggression and violence, resulting in two officers being assaulted, a spokesperson added.

Sgt Alex Taylor, from the North Hykeham Neighbourhood Policing Team, who was on patrol that night, said while the majority of young people had "engaged positively" with officers, one group chose to repeat this unacceptable behaviour.

"While we were able to deal with the situation on the night, we have also since identified those involved and spoken with them in the presence of their parents or guardians," he said.

According to police, a post on social media announcing the dispersal order received a number of comments suggesting officers were preventing young people from "simply being kids".

Taylor said: "This was not a case of children simply being children. Their actions were anti-social, caused harassment, alarm and distress to local residents, and will not be tolerated.

"As these incidents took place during the evening, we would encourage parents and guardians to know where their children are, who they are with, and to speak with them about the risks associated with underage drinking and antisocial behaviour."

The force said it issued dispersal notices to two girls, aged 14, six parental advice letters, and an antisocial behaviour warning letter to a girl identified as being involved in an incident of violence.

A 15-year-old girl was also referred to the Joint Diversionary Panel, which is a partnership between police and Lincolnshire County Council's children's services, for two offences of assaulting a police officer.

Another 15-year-old girl was taken home by police due to her level of intoxication, the force said.

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