VIDEO: Community facilities in Nailsworth could be forced to close if anti-social behaviour isn’t tackled soon

The warning comes after £3000 of damage was inflicted on a multi-use games area for basketball and football in Bunting Hill.

Police are clamping down on the anti-social teenagers who have blighted neighbourhoods for months – with their families warned they could face eviction.

The tough stance follows months of anti-social behaviour in Nailsworth, which has seen benches ripped out from playgrounds, a bus shelter burned down, cars vandalised and fences destroyed.

Inspector Andy Poole, of Stroud Police, said: “I am concerned about the families involved, and the kids are going to have to make some decisions quickly.

“We will go out and seize alcohol and take young people back to their parents.

“But, if the families come from Stroud District Council housing properties, we work in partnership with the council, and they will receive letters saying they are liable for eviction if they continue causing chaos.”

The unruly behaviour, which has mainly taken place in the Forest Green, Lawnside and Norton Wood areas, started back in around October when garage doors were smashed and fences damaged.

Cars have been pelted with eggs and wing mirrors and wipers have been broken.

Around 15 cars were vandalised in one night on Sunday, May 1.

A bus shelter was also burned down on the A46 at Frogmarsh, South Woodchester, near Nailsworth last month.

“At first we thought it was just a one off and that they would settle down and behave themselves,” said Sally Millett, town councillor and secretary of the Forest Green Association.

“We think it’s just a small group responsible but it is the whole community that is being affected. They have shown no respect for their fellow people and community.”

A group of around 12 teenagers, aged 14 to 17, are thought to be responsible.

Much of the trouble happens at weekends with alcohol thought to be a factor.

Last month the multi-use games area for basketball and football in Bunting Hill had to be closed due to damage caused by the youths.

“They climbed up the structure and jumped on the netting over the multi-use games area, causing it to come down,” added Sally.

“We have had to close the area and the cost of repair is going to be around £3,000.

“If they cause any more damage we will have to shut the area completely which would be very sad.”

She added: “I have lived in Nailsworth for 30 years and young people are usually pretty well-behaved.

"We are puzzled by this.”

A spokesman from Stroud District Council said legal action could be taken to stop the young yobs.

“Recent concerns expressed by residents of Nailsworth on the activities of a small minority of teenagers who are alleged to be causing damage to community resources, play areas and multi-use games areas during evenings and weekends, have become amatter of concern,” he said.

“The community is taking steps to help identify the culprits of this vandalism.

“Recent legislation under the Anti Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 allows for the police and local authorities to consider civil injunctions directly against persons as young as 10 years of age, where their ill-considered actions impact on the local community, and parents can be held responsible for any fines considered appropriate to deter this type of behaviour.”

Nailsworth mayor Jonathan Duckworth added: “We are pleased that SDC aim to take such strong action and fully support them in this.”

PC Andy Thompson, beat manager for Nailsworth, said: “Having the horses visit is just one part of an ongoing plan we have to address the issues of anti-social behaviour.

"We will be dealing with offenders robustly. Those responsible should remember there are always consequences to your actions.”

Debbie Powell, chairman of the Forest Green residents’ association, urged those responsible to think of the wider community.

“It is having a detrimental effect for many in the community and will affect plans to develop facilities in the town if it does not stop.”