Merseyside Police slam "intimidating" behaviour of children in Wirral park
Officers say they will be paying the parents a visit
Merseyside Police have slammed the behaviour of a gang of masked children on the Wirral - after they surrounded two female police officers in a park - and chucked sticks at them.
The force says the group - some of whom were as young as nine - intimidated the officers - and stopped them from getting in their car.
Police say the parents of the children involved will be getting visits from officers over the next few weeks.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Merseyside Police said:
"At 6pm Thursday 6th April, Youths behaved in an intimidating manner towards 2 female PCSOs patrolling Mersey Park by surrounding them and then lined up preventing them from accessing the police vehicle.
"This sort of groups behaviour is intimidating to decent people/families with children enjoying the parks. In this instance, some youths were carrying sticks, one of which was thrown towards officers and another at a moving police van.
"Whilst some of the older youths in the group saw sense and backed down, some younger ones did not. Ages of this group range from 9 to 17."
Local Policing Inspector Daniel Greenhalgh said:
“This incident has been crimed as public order. Body worn footage recorded the incident and the main individuals can expect contact from Police/ASB Team/Housing over the next couple of weeks.
"Some think face coverings are preventing police from identifying them, but I can assure you it is not. Any parent who wishes to come forward with their child to be dealt following this incident can contact Merseyside police quoting Occurrence number 23000302007”.
“It is disappointing to see some youths behaviour during the nicer weather and school holiday periods. Whist the majority of youths are parented and well behaved, there continues to be those who are not and show zero respect, using face coverings which intimidates and perhaps in the belief they will get away with disgraceful behaviours.
"Police and members of the public will NOT tolerate this. To those parents whose children are hanging around streets/parks with their friends, please be aware of where they are and what they get up to, because we WILL be knocking on the doors of parents and Will be dealing with criminal offences and ASB.
"Our ASB team work alongside the Council and housing providers to follow up such incidents also. As part of enquiries to identify some of the youths we will be speaking with schools."