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IT’S A PROBLEM: Jim Gibson, chairman of Chell Heath Residents’ Association.
POLICE are using a device which disperses teenage gangs by emitting a high-pitched noise only they can hear to combat anti-social behaviour outside a shop.
Officers were called to Tesco, in Chell, 30 times over a three month period to deal with problems involving youths from the area.
Now a Mosquito sound device, which is detectable only to those aged under 25, has been put at the Biddulph Road shop to prevent groups of youths from gathering.
A police spokesman said: “Throughout the months of June to September it was brought to our attention that outside the store and other neighbouring premises, a large amount of anti-social behaviour was taking place.
“During this time there were 30 incidents reported involving local teenagers.
“Residents had expressed concerns to us and we have put measures in place to combat the problem.”
Police have increased patrols in the area and acceptable behaviour contracts have been imposed on some of the troublemakers.
An anti-social behaviour order has also been given to the person identified as responsible for most of the problems.
Officers say the number of incidents has reduced dramatically as a result of the action they have taken.
The crackdown comes as Tesco was this week given permission to install a self-service till at the store.
The proposal had been opposed by police after fears shoppers who are already drunk and under-18s will use the self-service tills to buy their alcohol.
But police withdrew their objections after discussions with representatives from Tesco and the application was approved.
But the shop must have a member of staff supervising the checkout and authorising all alcohol sales before the transaction can proceed.
The current arrangement of having a security guard at the store when alcohol is available, between 6am and 11pm, must also remain in place.
Customers at the shop yesterday welcomed the police crackdown.
Alison Groves, aged 31, from Tunstall, said: “If the police are saying the device is helping to reduce problems then it’s good news.”
Clive Edwards, aged 64, from Chell, said: “I usually come to the shop in the daytime because sometimes you get groups of teenagers gathering outside and it could be quite intimidating.”
Jim Gibson, chairman of Chell Heath Residents’ Association, said: “The problems outside Tesco are something which constantly come up at meetings.
“Friday nights tend to be the worst for trouble but it can happen at anytime to be honest.
“You get groups of up to 20 14, 15 and 16 year olds gathering outside and if you even look at them they will give you a mouthful of abuse.”
POLICE are using a device which disperses teenage gangs by emitting a high-pitched noise only they can hear to combat anti-social behaviour outside a shop.
Officers were called to Tesco, in Chell, 30 times over a three month period to deal with problems involving youths from the area.
Now a Mosquito sound device, which is detectable only to those aged under 25, has been put at the Biddulph Road shop to prevent groups of youths from gathering.
A police spokesman said: “Throughout the months of June to September it was brought to our attention that outside the store and other neighbouring premises, a large amount of anti-social behaviour was taking place
This is Staffordshire.