A gang of teenage trespassers caught causing criminal damage by a vigilant Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) member have been punished by police.

The teenager boys were spotted misbehaving in the private enclosed car park at the centre at the Hallmead Day Centre, Anton Crescent, off Collingwood Road, Sutton in early May.

The NHW member called the Sutton North safer neighbourhoods team (SNT) which then spoke to three boys they found in the centre’s car park about trespassing on the site.

Later, during the May half-term week the centre was broken into after an external door had been forced open. An internal door was forced open too and the centre had suffered criminal damage.

On June 4 Sergeant Colin McDonald and a police community support officer Colin Allen came across two teenage boys in Stayton Road.

After questioning and investigation six boys aged 14 to 17 became known for burglary and criminal damage at the centre during the May half term.

Since then, three of the boys have received a reprimand at Sutton police station for criminal damage. Another boy received a final warning for burglary when he attended a youth clinic at Sutton police station last week.

Another teenage boy is due to return in August for a final warning for burglary. A sixth youth has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Sutton North SNT Sergeant Colin McDonald said: “This is an excellent example of the local community working in partnership with the SNT to reduce ASB in the borough.”

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