Four teenagers have been given fines for causing trouble in Stafford Town Centre.

Council and police officers went to the homes of the boys to issue the £100 fixed penalty notices. They were handed either to the youngsters or their parents.  

Following the first spate of fines, the council say they have received further information of more juveniles who have been creating havoc in the county town and will be paying them a visit.  

The clampdown follows a series of complaints about groups of lads aged between 13 and 16 years old intimidating shoppers, residents and visitors around the town centre.

It includes throwing eggs at passing cars, attacking cyclists, and assaulting people.

The boys live in the Littleworth, Highfields, Doxey and Holmcroft areas of Stafford.

“Good, law-abiding residents are absolutely sick and tired of seeing these feral youths run amok and seemingly getting away with it. They have been spoken to, they have been signposted to alternatives other than hanging around the town in the evenings, but that’s obviously not working and it is not fair that people have to suffer because of the unruly actions of a few,” said Councillor Jill Hood.

Councillor Hood, Cabinet Member for Communities, continued: “So we will use what powers we have as a local authority and hit them with fixed penalties. If they don’t pay, then we will prosecute. 

“We have huge plans to transform our town, attracting investors and businesses and increasing footfall, and we don’t intend to let that get derailed by those who couldn’t care less who they hurt or intimidate.”

Recently Stafford Borough Council announced a so-called ‘balaclava ban’ would be introduced in December where people would be asked to remove face coverings if they are being used in connection with ASB, criminal activity or behaviour causing harassment, alarm or distress - a move that was supported by more than 90 percent of those who responded to the survey.  

Cllr Hood added: “The fines were issued with the boys’ parents in attendance, and I really hope that the mums, dads and guardians will be disgusted at what their children have been doing and support the action we are taking.” 

The fixed penalty notices were for breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order by being in a group of five or more causing anti-social behaviour. The borough council say they will be issuing more fines to others identified in the next few days.  

More on Public Spaces Protection Orders from www.staffordbc.gov.uk/pspo

The borough council’s ‘Development Framework’ sets out a vision for a new market hall, with artisan retail, food court, entertainment and business start-ups, a variety of accommodation, pocket parks, enhanced public spaces, and proposed expansion to the college - while incorporating historic landmarks in the design.

It has been described as the biggest transformation in the county town in a generation with the council using government money to buy underused and vacant properties, and undertook the groundwork, which has helped spark interest from potential developers who are keen to invest in the area.  

More on those plans can be seen from Stafford Regeneration | Stafford Borough Council

Press Release No 6335