In a bid to curb a series of antisocial and violent incidents in Penrith, four young individuals, aged between 14 and 17, have been handed antisocial behaviour injunctions that restrict their movements within Penrith. The incidents, including a gang assault involving a knuckle-duster, have left the community rattled and prompted Police to request majesties issue antisocial behaviour injunctions against the four individuals.
Reporting restrictions prevent the naming of the four individuals due to their ages.
During a hearing at Carlisle's Rickergate court, barrister Jonathan Massey, representing Cumbria Police, detailed the disturbing incidents that led to the request for the issuing of the antisocial behaviour injunctions. The youths were accused of causing "harassment, alarm, and distress" to the community.
Among the incidents highlighted was an "unprovoked" assault on May 23, where the youths allegedly attacked an individual leaving a youth venue in Penrith.
One of the four was reportedly armed with a knuckle-duster during the attack, resulting in a broken jaw and other injuries for the victim. All four were initially arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm but were later released under investigation.
One of the 17-year-olds in the group was accused of assaulting a police officer on April 2, while another allegedly punched a male twice in the face on April 23. On April 27, there was a report that one of the youths fired a BB gun outside a youth facility, and two days later, a 12-year-old boy was shot in the face with a BB gun outside a McDonald’s restaurant, with one of the 17-year-olds named as the gunman.
Another incident involved a teenager swearing at a police officer inside the Penrith McDonald's restaurant, resulting in an arrest to prevent a breach of the peace. The youths were also reported to be consuming cannabis and alcohol on July 15, the same day an alarm was set off in the Penrith Sainsbury's, forcing the store's evacuation.
Presiding magistrate over the case Maureen Appleton granted the police application for antisocial behaviour injunctions. The exclusion zone set out in the injunction’s cover areas classified by Cumbria Police as "flashpoints" for trouble, encompass a significant part of the town centre in Penrith.
She also issued a stern warning to the four during the hearing, emphasising the gravity of the situation. "If you breach this order, you will be arrested. You could go to prison.” “You are in very serious trouble," she cautioned the four when summing up on the proceedings.
The antisocial behaviour injunctions granted to Cumbria Police against the four individuals now allows officers to arrest the youths if they are found drinking alcohol in public, using threatening behaviour or violence, or entering any of the specified town centre exclusion zones. Breaching an antisocial behaviour injunction is a criminal offence and could result in detention for up to three months for anyone breaching an injunction issued against them.
The injunctions granted by the Court and are effective immediately. The injunctions specify that the teens, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are prohibited from entering certain parts of the town including:
McDonalds, Penrith Railway Station and Castle Park
St Andrews Church yard
Sainsburys and New Squares area of Penrith
Ullswater Community College and grounds
Penrith Leisure Centre
Tim Horton’s Restaurant, Penrith
The injunctions also include a number of conditions such as not being under the influence of drugs or alcohol in public, not using insulting language towards any person and engaging in any conduct likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any person.
Inspector Ross Woods from the Eden NPT said: “Extensive work was carried out by the Eden Neighbourhood Policing Team to achieve these civil injunctions which will prevent further violent and anti-social behaviour from this group.
“We are pleased that the court has granted these injunctions and hope it will improve the quality of life for those in the area and who have been affected by this behaviour over the recent months.
“These injunctions carry a power of arrest, meaning the teenagers can be arrested and presented to the court for immediate outcome should any conditions be broken. This helps us manage their behaviour more effectively and the courts have greater powers to sentence should a breach occur”.
The injunctions also include the requirement for the four youths to engage with the Local Youth Offending Service and complete all activities instructed by them.
Cumbria Police spikes person has said “Residents who are having any issues with this type of behaviour in their communities are encouraged to speak to their local Community Beat Officer or PCSO. Alternatively, issues can be reported via Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”
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