Teenager arrested for shelter vandalism

A teenager arrested after more than a dozen bus shelter windows were mindlessly smashed has admitted the offence.

On the morning of January 19, officers found 18 windows at Hettonle-Hole Interchange had been shattered.

On January 21, police arrested a 14-year-old boy on suspicion of criminal damage who admitted in interview that he was responsible.

Officers found a catapult and ball bearings inside the boy’s Hetton home which had been used to commit the shameful act.

Inspector Nick Gjorven, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was a mindless act of vandalism which caused significant concern.

“It is important that the public know that the person responsible, who had no previous offending history, has been identified and will be dealt with appropriately by youth offending teams.

“Over the last 12 months we have dealt with more than 50 teenagers in Hetton and Houghton-leSpring believed to be associated with anti-social behaviour.

“We have also worked closely with the council’s anti-social behaviour team and housing providers to make home visits to those suspected of being involved and their parents, reported offenders for public order offences and used civil legislation to ban large gatherings in identified areas.

“A lot of hard work has gone into this operation which has led to a substantial reduction in reports of anti-social behaviour and youth disorder. Targeted patrols will continue and we will act swiftly to tackle and prevent these issues.”

Between November 2020 and this month, there has been a 30% overall reduction in anti-social behaviour reports in the Hetton and Houghton areas, with youth disorder specifically reducing by 41% compared to the previous eight-week period.