Children given criminal prosecutions after crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Banbury estate

The arrests and prosecutions follow the Banbury Neighbourhood Police Team’s Operation Jankle, which focuses on anti-social and criminal behaviour by a group of youths, particularly around the Bradley Arcade area of the Bretch Hill estate.

The police, along with the youth services and the Cherwell District Council Community Safety Team, looked at 10 youths who were responsible for causing the most issues in the area.

Following the Ruscote, Hardwick, and Neithrop Community Forum at the Sunshine Centre last Wednesday (October 18), it was reported that incidents of anti-social behaviour had significantly reduced in the area since the crackdown.

Sergeant Sarah Nash, who led the operation, said: "I am proud of the commitment and determination of the team to help resolve this ongoing issue that was causing such concern to the community.

"Whilst it is not always our goal to criminalise children, we do also ensure that support is put in place to help deter them from further offending and get them back on the straight and narrow. We could not do this without the support of the community and our partner agencies.

"The operation is still ongoing, and we hope that the message is clear that if you continue to commit offences you will be arrested and face consequences for this".

To report incidents of crime or anti-social behaviour to the police visit Thames Valley Police’s website at https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/