The Grantham Town East Neighbourhood Policing Team, based in New Beacon Road, has been warning drivers about car thefts, scouring parks to confiscate alcohol from under-18s and targeting licensed premises to curb the selling of booze to youngsters.

A number of parks have been identified as places teenagers congregate with booze, so community beat manager Pc Pete Nettleton and his team have been doing regular patrols.

He said: "Parents try to loosen the reins a little bit and give them head room to develop, but sometimes their kids let them down.

"We want to educate parents to know where their children are. Chances are they could be drinking on the streets.

"If you believe your daughter or son to be staying at a friend's house overnight, give the house a ring and make sure that they're there."

In an attempt to crack down on selling to under-18s, officers are asking police cadets to try to buy alcohol from licensed premises and action is taken on those that fail to ask for identification.

A recent rise in thefts from cars has prompted Operation Handbrake, a shock tactic to make drivers aware of the risk of thefts from their vehicles.

Pc Nettleton said: "Recently, we've had a rise in vehicle crime, in particular thefts from the Alma Park and Harrowby areas.

"While out and about, we will look in cars parked on the side of the roads and where people have left things in view, we will send a card with details of the vehicle and make the point that we could have been thieves."

Mini motorbikes are an issue in the area, one which Pc Nettleton thinks parents should be doing something about.

He said: "Parents are aware that their children have got these bikes, because they're keeping them in their sheds and garages.

"The message needs to go out the parents to do something about it."


* Are PCSOs in your area doing a good job? Do you think PCSOs are making good progress in tackling underage drinking and anti-social behaviour?
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