Gangs of 40 people leaving Amesbury residents 'fearful of leaving their homes'
Police are receiving an increasing number of calls about anti-social behaviour at Harvard Park
Wiltshire Police say residents in Amesbury are fearful of leaving their homes due to anti-social behaviour in Harvard Park.
The force says they’ve been receiving an increasing number of calls relating to the issue, with local officers dealing with large groups of 40 or people late into the night.
These groups have included children as young as 13-years-old.
Police say members of the group have been banging and kicking doors and windows, pushing over bins, spitting and swearing at members of the public, playing loud music as well as dancing and smoking in the park.
PC Mears said: "These actions are causing some local residents to be distressed, anxious and fearful of leaving their own homes. They don't feel like they can venture into the local park which is a main through-fare for many residents.
"I'd like to ask parents 'do you know where your children are?' Many of the young people we have spoken to openly admit that they have lied to their parents saying they are at youth clubs or staying with friends, or other venues.
"We're concerned that parents are unaware of what they're children are up to late into the evening and that they are unsupervised and could be vulnerable.
"We've also identified children from other areas to gather here, some as far away as Salisbury, it is your parental responsibility to know where your children are and what they are doing."