A POLICE crackdown on anti-social youths is being hailed as a success after nine youngsters were dealt with by officers.

During “Operation Staysafe” police stopped a group of six under-16 year olds who were taken to Loughton Police station before being sent home to their parents and two nine year olds, who were found wandering in the High Street alone at 8:30pm on Friday April 3.

Two youths were also prosecuted for cannabis possession with one 14 year-old boy from Woodford Green receiving a reprimand and the other, a 21- year-old from Debden was given a £60 fixed penalty notice.

The operation was launched by Essex Police and the District Council after a rise in complaints about anti-social behaviour in Loughton, Chigwell and Buckhurst Hill. Last year 36 percent of reports were attributed to ‘nuisance youths’.

Leading the operation, Loughton's Inspector Tom Simons said: “It’s important that parents know where their children are at all times.

We are grateful to all the agencies who worked throughout the evening to assist in removing the young people, who were potentially at risk of harm, from the streets of Loughton to a place of safety.”

The crackdown is one of a number of one day patrols seeking to keep youngsters off the streets during the Easter holidays.

They are also asking people who live near schools to be extra vigilant during the holidays.

Anyone who sees anything suspicious is asked to contact Essex police on their non-emergency number 0300 333 4444.