Youth gangs '˜terrorising' market town

Generic image of anti-social neighbours, nightmare neighbours, living in fear, disruptive, anti-social behaviour, street drinking, louts, yobs

Gangs of up to 80 youths have been terrorising the Garstang community according to police.

Congregating in large groups, police say the teenagers have been throwing fireworks, shining laser pens at motorists, underage drinking and smoking cannabis after a huge increase in anti-social behaviour.

Police say the groups are intimidating locals and say it is putting a strain on the ever depleting number of officers.

PC Matthew Butcher, from Garstang and Over Wyre Police, said the behaviour had “impacted hugely upon people’s lives” and that these incidents were just a small range of what had been happening within the market town.

He said: “The majority of the youths involved are local however many others are coming into Garstang from the Galgate, Lancaster, Bilsborrow and North Preston areas via the local bus services.

“Although the majority of the youths are well behaved, the sheer presence of 80 plus youths is intimidating.

“We have identified a few of the ringleaders however it is asked that parents and carers take responsibility for what their children are doing. We know that there is not much for the youths to do but this does not justify for them to behave in such a rowdy, inappropriate way.” PC Butcher said some of the other anti-social behaviour included fighting, vomiting, shouting and swearing as well as general “rowdy behaviour”.

PC Butcher asks anyone with issues, concerns or information to contact the local neighbourhood policing team by emailing [email protected] or calling 01995 607869.