Gang held by police investigating spike in youth crime

Fourteen offenders have been served with Acceptable Behaviour Contracts by police investigating a spike in youth crime in the area.

And three youths have been interviewed under caution for Robbery, Assault and Public Order Offences and referred to the Youth Offending Team at GMP.

This follows a combined police operation in the South Trafford since the start of the year after a gang carried out several attacks in the area.

A police spokesman said:”In relation to the recent spike in youth crime, due to action by Altrincham Neighbourhood Officers working in conjunction with the Youth Offending Team and Trafford Anti-Social Behaviour Officers. Fourteen offenders have been identified and issued with Acceptable Behaviour Contracts preventing them from behaving in a certain manner, associating with certain individuals and attending specific locations. Also, three youths have been interviewed under caution for Robbery, Assault and Public Order offences and referred to the Youth Offending Team for appropriate action to be taken. Since this intervention, the number of reported incidents of youth crime has significantly reduced.”

There have been attacks in Hale, Altrincham and Timperley and many unreported attacks in Sale and Urmston areas.

A letter sent out to parents from Ashton-on-Mersey School says:“Please be aware that there is a large group of young people who are targeting other young people in the area in an intimidating and threatening manner

“This is happening in various locations in the Altrincham, Timperley, Sale and Urmston area such as at bus stations, parks and tram stations.”

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Altrincham College, Wellington School and Heyes Lane School in Timperley issued similar alerts.

Officers launched an investigation into a robbery in Hale town centre on Saturday, January 6, an assault in John Leigh Park, Altrincham, on Monday, January 8, and an assault on a bus in Altrincham on Tuesday, January 9.

More than 2,000 people have joined the Facebook group ‘keep our children safe Altrincham/surrounding areas’  with many parents reporting a number attacks on their children.

Anyone with information about the incidents is urged to contact Trafford South Neighbourhood Policing Team by calling 0161 856 7530 or e-mailing traffordsouth@gmp.police.uk.