Crackdown on youth crime following incidents around Cirencester

Last week two police officers visited the two secondary schools in Cirencester at home time to raise visibility after receiving reports of teens in hoods and masks causing problems across town.

One particular group, who often wear face coverings, have been on the police radar for the last 18 months but recently their behaviour has escalated into more serious incidents including violent assaults with criminal charges now being brought in some cases.

Other incidents include drug use, threatening behaviour and vehicles being stolen.

The group is also known to gather and cause trouble around subways and the area near KFC on the Love Lane Industrial Estate.

PC Richard Webb and PC Martin West from the Cirencester Neighbourhood Policing team visited Deer Park last Wednesday and Kingshill the following day to give parents the opportunity to speak to them directly about any concerns.

PC Richard Webb and PC Martin West from the Cirencester Neighbourhood Policing team visiting Kingshill School last Thursday to speak to concerned parents (Image: Camilla Foster)

There have been concerns about the group hanging around outside these schools and acting in an intimidating manner as pupils leave. 

Some parents have told police that their children often feel unsafe walking home when the gang is lingering outside the school gates.

As a result, neighbourhood policing inspector Simon Ellson sent out a letter to all schools in Cirencester including primaries to let parents know that police are aware of the problem and are taking action.

He also stressed that police have investigated incidents where evidence has been provided and that arrests have been made. 

Insp Ellson pointed out that a 15-year-old boy from Cirencester was handed a youth rehabilitation order by Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Friday, February 2 after pleading guilty to stealing a vehicle.

The boy, who cannot be named due to his age, already has an Antisocial Behaviour Injunction against him and must obey a curfew which states he must stay in his house between 8pm and 7am everyday.

Inspector Ellson told the Standard: "There has been concern about a group of youths going around Cirencester intimidating residents.

"This antisocial behaviour has crossed the line and turned into criminal offences on several occasions.

"For example, when someone gets assaulted or when property is damaged.

"Other types of antisocial behaviour include groups wearing hoods and masks, hanging around subways late at night, dropping litter etc.

"When there has been clear criminality we have been investigating these issues and have been dealing with them robustly.

"The offenders are now going through the criminal justice system and I want to reassure locals that we are doing what we can.

"The group aren't solely responsible for every bit of antisocial behaviour in and around Cirencester but clearly they have been at the forefront of significant issues over a significant period of time.

"We are working with housing, social care and the schools to have a coordinated approach to this issue.

"We also have a full-time school beat officer who gives talks on a variety of issues such as online safety, county lines, exploitation and drug use at schools across Gloucestershire everyday.

"I want residents to know that we are here to keep you safe and I would really encourage everyone to report any problems no matter how small or insignificant they appear to be.

"If we don't know about things we can't deal with them."

Kingshill School headteacher Jo Lindley sent a comment on behalf of both secondary schools saying: “Cirencester Kingshill School, along with Deer Park School, are supportive of these measures and are pleased to be working alongside the police and other agencies on these issues.”