City centre thugs charged with more than 100 offences

GANGS of teenagers have been terrorising Cathedral Gardens and Urbis, robbing and attacking people – now 18 yobs have been charged for more than 100 offences.

The area was reportedly put on ‘heightened alert’ following a sudden spate of violent robberies in the first few weeks of the summer holidays.

In one case, a 17-year-old boy had a knife held to his face after he refused to buy cannabis from a group of hooligans, before handing over £20 so they would leave him alone.

Several people – including a 16-year-old boy – have since been sentenced for the crime.

Now city centre chief inspector Cherie Buttle has said 18 teenagers have been charged in connection with the July incidents.

“We’ve got the group, we’ve charged them with a significant number of offences, and they will face the criminal justice system,” she said.

Chief Insp Buttle said an initial spate of crimes were treated as anti-social behaviour, but things escalated when the gangs started carrying weapons.

“During the first few weeks of the summer holidays, we saw an increase in personal robberies in the Cathedral Gardens and Urbis area,” said Chief Insp Buttle.

“We launched an investigation and increased patrols. It started off as what looks like anti-social behaviour, and then they changed tactics.

“It went from things like knocking someone’s hat off and stealing it to committing robberies using violence.

“Yes, there was an increase, but it has now subsided significantly.”