Groups of up to 20 youngsters, some as young as 14, have been roaming the streets of Ashtead at 2am after lying to their parents about going to a friend’s house for a sleepover.

That is the stark warning from the police who say the youngsters have committed criminal acts and engaged in anti social behaviour and want parents to carry out proper checks on their children’s whereabouts.

“Young people from all backgrounds are making their own arrangements for sleepovers at friends’ houses and parents are not making the appropriate checks,” wrote Ashtead neighbourhood officer PC Jason Woods in the Mole Valley Neighbourhood Watch News.

“Suffice it to say the child never actually ends up staying at the address stated but ends up at another address much later on.

“These are carefully organised plans by the children involved and many parents are being deceived on a weekly basis.

“The result is a 20 strong group of teenagers roaming the streets late at night committing various offences.

“Parents should know where their children are at all times. If your child says they are going to friends for a sleepover, it is up to the parents to communicate with each other to ensure this is acceptable and establish a sensible curfew.”

He also warns parents not to allow their children to advertise parties on Facebook or other internet sites after two incidents where parties have led to neighbours becoming victims of crime.

“Many parties will attract unwanted and unruly guests usually with alcohol,” he wrote.

“In the event of gatecrashers arriving, report the matter to police as soon as possible before it is too late.”

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