Ripon police appeal after antisocial behaviour over weekend
Youths were seen throwing things into traffic on Friday and Saturday night
Last updated 14th Dec 2020
Ripon City Police are calling on parents to ask their children what they get up to when out and about, after a number of incidents occurred over the weekend.
On the evenings of Friday 11 and Saturday 12 December, there were reports teenagers were throwing things into the road and walking in front of cars.
It's said to have caused significant distress to road users as well as putting themselves at serious risk of harm.
As a result of work over the weekend, two teenagers have been arrested. One young person remains under investigation whilst the second has been charged and will appear in court for being drunk and disorderly.
A police spokesperson said: "Not only have these young people caused anti-social behaviour by their actions, but they are also clearly ignoring any warning regarding the Covid-19 regulations. They do not register the risk and have stated it’s their choice.
"If your son or daughter was out this weekend, I urge you to please find out where they were, who they were with, what they were doing and why.
"Their moment of fun now could cost them dearly in the future when they have to declare a police record for causing harassment, alarm and distress or other criminal record."
Ripon City Police have increased officer presence and are proactively patrolling areas whilst responding to calls, but officers say they can't be everywhere.
They added: "Parents have the biggest role to ensure that their children are not causing trouble, committing crimes, not distressing our community or putting themselves at risk of harm. Please speak with your children and make sure they understand the effect their behaviour is having on our communities and their future life.
"We will not tolerate what has been happening and we will arrest where necessary and appropriate."
Police footage from Body Worn Video is being investigated, but officers are asking those who have any information which could help identify what has happened over the weekend to get in contact.
Other incidents have happened in the last seven days, including damage to the windows of Liberty Courthouse and the Town Hall.
Overnight on Wednesday 9 December a new hand sanitising station was ripped from its secure position and thrown down the road. Police are still appealing for CCTV or dash cam footage from between 10.45pm and 11.45pm. They believe three people were involved in the incident.