Frinton residents concerned over gang of young troublemakers

Between 15 and 20 teenage boys were spotted congregating in the Connaught Avenue and Queen’s Road area of Frinton, at about 8pm on Wednesday night.

According to eyewitnesses, supermarket staff even pulled the shutters down on their stores because they did not trust the gang and were unsure of their intentions.

Reports suggest the egg-wielding youngsters, who are said to have looked about 15, had already been kicked out of one shop by workers due to causing trouble.

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One Frinton resident, who was walking home with her boyfriend when she clocked the gang, said she was nearly knocked down by boys as they fled the scene.

“They got about three houses down from the Co-op car park and then they all raced back shouting ‘go, go, go’ and laughing,” she said, speaking anonymously.

“I jumped out the way as it was like a stampede. My boyfriend stood his ground but they weren't put off by him clearly seeing them and not being impressed.

“He moved his car because he didn't want it egged and they watched him and watched where he parked in the car park behind the flats - thankfully it wasn't egged.

“I did not see what they were doing but I saw them holding eggs and one was leaking through one of their fingers where it had smashed.

“There's little need for a large group of kids to have eggs upon their person, so I presumed anti-social behaviour of some kind would ensue.”

Nick Turner, Tendring councillor for Frinton, said more police were needed in the area in order to deter youngsters from causing trouble.

He said: “The simply answer is the police have abandoned Frinton and I have been shouting about this for two years.

“They know about these children but they are doing diddly squat about them. They are getting away with it and nobody stands up to them.

“I have not confronted this particular cohort of youths but I have others in the past. The town is being completely let down.”

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Essex Police have now said they are investigating reports regarding the gang of youngsters.

A spokesman said: "We received a number of reports relating to young people acting antisocially in Connaught Avenue, Frinton, at about 8.30pm on Wednesday.

"It was reported that about six young people were abusive to staff in Sainsbury’s and had stolen a box of eggs.

"A further report stated a group of young people were also acting antisocially outside a Co-op shop.

"Officers attended and despite a search of the area, no one matching descriptions given could be located. Both incidents are being investigated.

"We take all reports of antisocial behaviour seriously and we know the impact such incidents can have on businesses and the public.

"Where perpetrators are identified, action is taken in a variety of ways including, where appropriate, criminal charges but also community resolutions and referrals to the Youth Offending Service, a multi-agency group which decides on the most appropriate outcome for the young person involved.

"We continue to encourage people to report non-emergency incidents to us by calling 101 or reporting online at essex.police.uk/.

"This means we can obtain the most accurate picture of incidents and can act accordingly."