Teenage shoplifters from Billericay, Wickford and Brentwood are becoming a problem of "epidemic" proportions in Basildon town centre according to police.
Basildon Police have now announced a "zero tolerance" attitude towards the 13 to 15-year-olds who are targeting the town each Saturday and stealing hundreds of pounds worth of cosmetics, stationery and other items.
PC Allan Barley, from Basildon Town Police Unit, said: "It seems an increasing trend for the young shoplifters we are stopping to be from outlying areas, such as Billericay, Wickford, Benfleet, Rayleigh and even Brentwood.
"They don't seem to understand the implications of gaining a criminal record on their future job prospects."
Police believe it is peer group pressure turning youngsters into teenage criminals, but say they will take these shoplifters to court if necessary.
Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article