Youth related ASB

Agreed on 4 October 2023. Updated on 1 February 2024

Groups of youths congregating in and around Town Centre area of Weston causing anti-social behaviour and committing low level offences.

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1 February 2024

There has been a significant decrease in the number of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and associated offences involving young people in Weston-super-Mare town centre in January 2024.

Town Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team officers alongside with Worle and Villages and Bournville Once NPTs are continuing their work with partner agencies (Youth Offending Service, North Somerset Children Social Care, ASB Team, North Somerset Community Response, North Somerset Council CCTV) to tackle those issue.

Officers, supported by partners, work closely with a cohort of individuals, identified through investigations, in an attempt to steer them away from ASB and criminality and to better understand their family dynamics, education, health and wellbeing as well as their hobbies and interests.

Any reports of ASB and criminality caused by youths are being investigated and evidence gathered are used towards ASB interventions such as:
- ASB Warning Letters
- Acceptable Behaviour Contracts
- Community Protection Warnings/Notices
- Civil Injunctions
- Criminal Behaviour Orders
, and/or prosecution.
21 November 2023

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested following a robbery in Weston-super-Mare on Saturday (18 November).

Officers were called to Weston-super-Mare’s High Street at 9.20pm on Saturday following a report of a violent disorder and a 16-year-old boy being robbed.

The 15-year-old was arrested yesterday (Monday 20 November) on suspicion of violent disorder and robbery. He has been bailed pending further investigation.

A mobile phone was taken which was later recovered. The victim sustained cuts and bruises but thankfully did not require hospital treatment. We continue to offer the victim and their family support during this time.

Officers continue to work hard to review extensive CCTV footage in relation to the incident in an effort to identify and arrest all individuals involved.

Neighbourhood Policing Insp Graeme Hall said: “We are aware of growing concerns around anti-social behaviour and crime in Weston-super-Mare.

“We continue to work very hard to hold individuals to account and to provide an increased presence in the town centre.

“Last night, patrolling officers issued four people with dispersal notes. We are also working closely with North Somerset Council’s Safer Communities team around the use of fixed penalty notices for those in breach of Public Space Protection Orders.”

If you have any information or any relevant footage relating to the incident on Saturday, please contact us on 101 and quote reference 5223282501.
8 November 2023

Further to a series of instances of anti social behaviour and criminality in Weston Town Centre four people have now been arrested. A 12 year old female, 13 year old male and 18 year old male have been released on policed bail with conditions preventing them from attending particular areas of the town. A 14 year old male was charged in relation to 4 breaches of a criminal behaviour order and was remanded in custody before being released on bail by the court. Police, North Somerset Council and other partners including children’s social services and the Youth Offending Service continue to work intensively in relation to those children identified and an increased police presence continues in the Town. We would encourage all parents to ensure you speak to your children around where they are going and who they are associating with. We also encourage the public to work with us to report all incidents of anti social behaviour via 101 or 999 in an emergency.
4 November 2023

Following a number of incidents of anti social behaviour and assault in Weston super Mare on Thursday 2nd November neighbourhood policing teams have made 2 further arrests.

A 12 year old child was arrested from their home address on suspicion of assault after failing to attend a voluntary interview in connection with 9 offences and an 18 year old male was also arrested after being identified by CCTV.

Bail conditions have been applied to those responsible to protect the public and neighbourhood officers have been working alongside First Bus and North Somerset Council. An increased police presence in the town centre will continue over the weekend.

Anti social behaviour and criminality will not be tolerated and we will continue to pursue those involved in the incident.
3 November 2023

Over the past few weeks, we have seen a significant rise in the number of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and associated offences involving young people in Weston-super-Mare town centre.

Last night (Thursday 2 November), officers attended a number of incidents involving groups of teenagers, including assaults on members of the public, thefts, shoplifting and criminal damage.

Two people were arrested in connection with the incident and one remains in custody this morning. A third person is due to attend a voluntary interview later today.

We will also be carrying out proactive arrest attempts as part of the investigation.

The children and young people involved are aged from 12 years old upward. We encourage all parents and guardians to speak with their children if they were out last night.

Officers from our Neighbourhood Policing Team are working with partners including @North Somerset Council, @Weston-super-Mare Town Council and business representatives to tackle this behaviour.

Enquiries including CCTV trawls, house-to-house enquiries and increased police patrols will be taking place over the coming days and weeks.
11 October 2023

Town Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team officers work closely with partner agencies (North Somerset Council Child Social Services, ASB Team, North Somerset Council Community Response, North Somerset Council CCTV, North Somerset Youth Offending and Prevention Service) to tackle those issues through utilisation of ASB powers and interventions.

The interventions include:
- ASB Warning Letters
- Acceptable Behaviour Contracts
- Community Protection Warnings/Notices
- Civil Injunctions
- Criminal Behaviour Orders