EGG-throwing youngsters have been making life a misery for home and business owners in areas of Droitwich.

Over the past few weeks there have been numerous complaints about eggs being thrown at houses and shops on the Westlands estate and in the town centre.

Six or seven incidents were reported at Halloween, when trick or treat provided an excuse for the craze.

Nine of the culprits, aged from 12 to 15, were spotted on CCTV and have since been identified by Droitwich beat manager PC Annie Hughes.

She has visited local shops to warn them that youngsters are buying eggs to throw and ask them to think carefully before selling them.

Westlands Supermarket owner Jasbinder Singh said he had been made aware of the problem by the police.

"We have stopped selling eggs to kids, but I hadn't noticed them buying eggs particularly. Their parents send them out for all sorts of things," he said.

Anne Mountford, counter manager at Westlands Sub Post Office, said she knew of eggs being thrown at houses in the Ploughman's area of the estate.

"I don't think anyone in particular is being targeted. It seems to be random pot shots," she said.

PC Hughes said she would like anyone who knew anything about the egg-throwing incidents to get in touch, so that all the information could be collated.

"During the past few days, I have spoken to a number of youngsters caught throwing eggs and they have been stopped and their details have been passed on to the community safety department, so that their behaviour can be monitored by the anti-social behaviour officers," said PC Hughes.

Letters will go to the youngsters and their parents, warning that they have been identified and that if they continue to behave in an anti-social way further action will be taken by the ASBO team.

"As well as issuing flyers appealing to shops not to sell the youngsters the eggs in the first place and visiting schools, I am appealing to the community," said PC Hughes.

"They know the names of the individuals responsible for throwing eggs, as I believe they are local to the area."

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Hughes on 01905 723888.