Crackdown by police on estate yobs

Six teenagers are wanted in connection with two assaults in Ashford, one which saw a 15-year-old girl hit in the face with a plank of wood.

Both attacks happened in Stanhope last week – half term – dur- ing a disturbance outside a shop in Speldhurst Close.

Officers also say they received calls from concerned residents about youths hanging around in the area, some of whom were said to be carrying fence posts.

A post on Facebook also suggested that teenagers in the Washford Farm and Stanhope areas had been “threatening to smash windows”.

Following the attacks, police decided to place a 48-hour dispersal order on the estate in an attempt to deal with the antisocial behaviour.

The order was put in place at 4pm on Saturday.

The trouble seems to have started last Wednesday when a large group of teenagers reportedly assaulted a 40-year-old man outside the Stanhope mini-market at about 9.30pm.

He suffered a swollen eye and bloodied nose but did not require an ambulance.

The man said that earlier that evening he had confronted some teenagers who had gone into his garden and were bouncing on his children’s trampoline.

Officers also say a 15-year-old girl was hit in the face with a plank of wood.

Police are investigation both incidents and would like to speak to six teenagers. They are described as:

A boy aged 14 to 16, of Chinese appearance and slim build, and about 5ft 4in tall with short black hair

A white boy aged 14 to 16, of slim build, about 5ft 11in tall with dark curly hair, who was wearing a grey T- shirt and black bottoms

A white boy aged 14 to 16, of slim build, about 5ft 10in tall, with short, cropped, dark hair. He was wearing a black Puffa -style jacket and either blue jeans or tracksuit bottoms

A white boy aged 14 to 16, of slim build who was wearing a tracksuit top

A white girl aged 14 to 16, with blonde hair in a pony tail, who was wearing a black duffle coat with fur hood and black boots

A white girl of very slim build, with dark hair in a pony tail and dark ski pant-type leggings

Anyone who can help is asked to contact PC Trevor Moon on 01843 222289, quoting crime number ZY/5384/16.

Alternatively, if you have information but would prefer to remain anonymous call Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

‘The dispersal order was implemented over the weekend as an extra measure to help officers deal with anti-social behaviour. It follows a number of calls about nuisance youths’

The area near the shops and flats in Stanhope where youths have been hanging around causing a nuisance to others