Teenage terrors targeted by police

The latest crackdown – dubbed Operation Lion – was launched this week by North Yorkshire Police to tackle crime ranging from drunken anti-social behaviour to shoplifting and pickpocketing in York city centre.

Officers said they would also be visiting the homes of some of York’s most notorious offenders to warn them that the major crime crackdown is under way.

Between 45 and 50 known offenders have been sent letters notifying them that police patrols are being stepped up in the city centre.

Senior officers confirmed that they have seen an increasing number of teenagers as young as 13 becoming prolific offenders.

Chief Inspector Dave Hannan, of York Safer Neighbourhood Command, said: “Youths aged 13 and 14 need to realise that they are not immune to prosecution because of their age and if they are caught committing crime they will be dealt with appropriately.

“I would like to appeal to parents to be aware of what their children are doing, remind them of their responsibility to behave within the law and dissuade them from associating with know criminals.”

The latest initiative is linked to Operation Secure which began last autumn to use intelligence from the public and targeted patrols to tackle York’s most wanted suspects.

Chief Insp Hannan added: “Operation Lion is a focused, targeted initiative which will disrupt the criminal activities of persistent offenders in the City of York, no matter what age they are.

“Our residents, the vast majority of whom are law-abiding, hard-working people, do not deserve to have their lives disrupted by criminals.”

Anyone with information about young offenders can contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060247.