Police step up patrols after reports of 200 youths at disturbance near Telford leisure centre
Police and council anti-social behaviour teams were sent to the area following the incident.
Police were called after reports of a disturbance near a Telford leisure centre and school, with around 200 young people said to be present at one stage.
The incident took place near Oakengates Leisure Centre in the town on Tuesday (April 7).
Police were called, and an update from the nearby New Road Academy said that at one stage there had been around 200 young people present. West Mercia Police has since issued a dispersal order in response to “several reports” of anti-social behaviour in the area, giving officers extra powers to “exclude” people suspected of causing problems.
It is understood that the majority of the gathering on Tuesday was in a car park near to a tennis centre.
A note sent from New Road Academy to parents said that leisure centre staff and the public suffered verbal abuse, with bookings at the leisure centre cancelled as a result.
It explained: “Between approximately 5pm and 7pm there were large groups of young people causing a disturbance in and around the 3G sports pitch, with at one stage in the region of 200 youths present.
“The leisure centre staff suffered considerable verbal abuse, as did members of the public who had paid to use the facility, and further bookings that evening had to be cancelled.
“The police attended the scene to clear the young people from the area, and support the leisure centre staff.”
The note added: “The council’s anti-social behaviour team, and a police presence has been requested in the area tonight (Wednesday, April 8).”
It also suggested that the young people involved had been “from many different locations, not all local to this area”.
It added: “We’d ask that if any of your children are planning to be in the area tonight to be mindful of any large gatherings, and consider going to another location to meet up with friends.”
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: “Officers have issued a 48-hour dispersal order in response to an increase in anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Oakengates, Telford. Police attended several reports of groups of young people causing general disorder in the area on 7 April and 8 April.
“The order – effective from 7.30pm on 8 April until 7.30pm 10 April - provides extra powers to the police to exclude individuals aged over 10 who cause anti-social behaviour.
“Officers will be increasing their patrols today in the area to ensure the order is utilised if necessary. Residents are encouraged to speak to an officer, or contact police, if they have any concerns relating to ASB in the area.”
A Telford & Wrekin Council spokesman said: “We are aware of recent anti-social behaviour around the site of Oakengates Leisure Centre.
“Verbal abuse of our staff will not be tolerated, and we are working closely with the police to reassure leisure centre users, staff and the wider community, including sharing CCTV footage for the police to review.
“The police are increasing their patrols in the area, and have issued a 48-hour dispersal order, effective from last night, giving additional powers to exclude anyone over the age of 10 causing antisocial behaviour.”