Police issue warning to parents as four more cars hit by bricks and rocks thrown by youths

Four cars have been damaged following reports youths have been throwing stones at passing vehicles in Middlesbrough.

Police have issued a plea to the parents and guardians of these children to “know where they are on an evening and what they are getting up to” before someone is seriously injured or even killed.

The latest incident, which happened on Sunday night in the Ormesby Road and Pallister Park area, follows several occasions where gangs of youths have thrown rocks, stones and bricks at vehicles.

Last month, we reported that a passenger of a vehicle was injured when a brick was thrown through a car window.

In October, three boys were arrested for throwing missiles at vehicles - mostly taxis - in the same area in Middlesbrough.

Police have received numerous reports of youths throwing items at moving vehicles, putting road users in potential danger, as well as causing damage, over the past few months.

This has often taken place at various locations along Ormesby Road, in the Park End area and, to a lesser extent, around Albert Park and in the Ladgate ward.

Police have been working with partner agencies for months to deal with the issue - including the introduction of a dispersal order, proactive high visibility and also covert patrols, and the use of mobile CCTV and camcorders.

A camera has been fitted where the youths have been seen

Officers have also been working with schools. They have arrested some suspects and have also taken individuals home and sent letters to parents.

Temporary Inspector Neil Deluce, from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “(On Sunday night) police received a report of four cars being damaged and a further report of youths throwing stones at passing vehicles in the Ormesby Road and Pallister Park area.

“Our plea is to the parents and guardians of these children to know where they are on an evening and what they are getting up to. This is not antisocial behaviour, it is outright criminal damage and could cause someone to be seriously injured or even killed.

“We are doing everything that we can but the parents in the local area need to take some responsibility for their children’s actions.

“Officers have been, and continue to, work proactively alongside partners to bring these incidents to a halt and to catch those involved.

“Parents and guardians of those youths believed to be involved have been spoken to and officers have used the messaging systems in two local schools to reach parents to inform them about the ongoing incidents.

“Additional resources have been put in place and dispersal orders have been issued to disband gangs of youths. A number of arrests have been made and some youths have been interviewed voluntarily. “Letters have been hand-delivered to parents to encourage them to know the whereabouts of their children when they are out on an evening and to ask them to warn their children of the potential consequences of getting involved in such incidents.

“We are doing everything possible in order to bring these incidents to a halt and we are trying to do it as soon as possible, before there is a serious injury or a fatality.”