Police involved with anti-social youths at bus terminus

Tuesday 22 March 2022

Some businesses in Town say a group of teenagers are causing havoc when they regularly gather near the bus terminus at the South Esplanade.

One shop manager in the area said the youngsters are so disruptive they "need to be locked up".

Police have confirmed to Express that they are "aware of concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area of the bus terminus".

The youngsters involved are estimated to range in age between 12 and 18.

Pictured: A group of youths are accused of harassing the public and businesses around the bus terminus. 

The Tuck Shop Manager Sheena Rihoy said she has banned some of the youths from her shop.

“They are an absolute and utter nuisance with no consideration for other people,” said Mrs Rihoy. 

“They are incredibly rude. Up to 25% of that group are barred [from the shop] due to shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.”

Mrs Rihoy said the group frequently litter the area around the bus terminus, ride their bicycles in the wrong direction of the one-way road system, deliberately block public toilets and “continually rev” their motorbikes.

“They all need locking up. That might be only way to stop them,” she said.

“If they are put in a van or cells and made to stay there until their parents come to collect them, maybe it will finally teach them a lesson.

“The police do come and talk to them and clear them from the area from time to time. But 10 minutes later, when the officers are gone, the kids all come back again and carry on exactly how they were before.”

Pictured: Some youths gathering near The Tuck Shop have been caught shoplifting.

There are reports of the young people involved harassing members of the public on the street and causing problems on buses and for local businesses and even in the Guille-Allès Library.

Acting Chief Inspector Tom Marshall said that police officers are assisting with the problem.

“Our Neighbourhood Police Team officers have been engaging with relevant businesses in the area and are looking to support so that any issues are resolved,” he said.

“This is ongoing and will include meetings with relevant staff from St Peter Port Constables, CT Plus and others.

“There is good quality CCTV in the area of the bus terminus, which will continue to be monitored, and we will take necessary action where there are allegations made and evidence secured.

“We encourage anyone who has had any issues or been the subject of any abuse to report such matters to us so they can be dealt with effectively.”

Pictured: Just Games has limited the number of children allowed in the shop at any one time, which has helped reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour.  

Just Games Store Manager Sam Savident said that he has introduced measures to reduce anti-social behaviour in the store.

“We used to let them come in here, but when they were in their large group their foul language and harassment of staff and customers was getting out control,” he said.

“At the start of the year, we introduced a new policy where we will only allow three of them in at any one time.

"When they are in a large group, there are ring leaders and they encourage bad behaviour from the others. There seemed to be a herd mentality.

“We have found that limiting their numbers [in the shop] has made a positive difference. We have even received apologies from some of them. But it is a shame that this step was even necessary.”

Pictured: Police officers have attended Just Games to help address anti-social behaviour from a group of youths. 

Mr Savident said the problems had become increasingly worse over the past few years.

“It is definitely an ongoing problem. The group has a vast age range and, as the older ones move on, the younger ones have grown up to lead the group and they are worse and worse each time,” he said.

“I have worked here nearly four years and they have got worse and worse over that time. The police do intervene, but there is only so much they are able to do.

“We have had the police come in and I have witnessed some of the kids backchatting to the officers, but they never cross a line with officers.

"I understand that the officers’ hands are tied in some respects because the teenagers know how far they can push it.”

Pictured: The Neighbourhood Police Team is "aware of concerns of anti-social behaviour". 

Mrs Rihoy and Mr Savident acknowledged that not all the individuals in the group are causing problems.

They said the large numbers involved was clearly contributing to the problem.

Acting Chief Inspector Marshall said: “While we would never seek the demonising of young people because of the thoughtless actions of a minority, we will take a firm but proportionate stance to police these issues.”