YOUTHS ran away when a police van pulled up at shops after officers received reports of anti-social behaviour causing 'upset' in the community. 

A large group of youths could be seen gathered in Cranham Parade in Cranham Drive in Warndon, Worcester on Thursday evening (April 11).

One witness said: "I saw a police van pull into the service road by the shops and one of the group shouted 'run!' and they ran off down the alley by the Spar shop.

"Within seconds they were gone. The van did another loop of the service road, coming back the same way. But the lads had not come back. It's good to see the police responding to public concern."

Safer Neighbourhood Inspector Tanya Beckett said: “We received a report of anti-social behaviour yesterday evening (Thursday 11 April) around 6pm on Cranham Drive in Worcester.

“Officers promptly attended the incident and the group that had been reported to us had left the area.

“We will continue to work alongside shop owners and the community in the area to address such issues and ask people to report any anti-social behaviour they see.

“We understand the concern and upset this type of behaviour brings to the local community and we take any issues around anti-social behaviour very seriously."

RECOMMENDED READING: Warndon dispersal notice issued after anti-social behaviour

We have previously reported how a dispersal notice was issued in Warndon after concerns about anti-social behaviour in Cranham Parade.

Two people have already been removed from the area. The dispersal order has been imposed under Section 34 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Dispersal orders make it an offence for anyone to return to a specific area for up to 48 hours.

The order started at 4.42pm on Tuesday, March 26 and additional patrols were carried out.