Parents have been asked by police if they know where their children are after a spate of reported assaults, criminal damage and hate incidents taking place in Mansfield.
Nottinghamshire Police asked “do you really know where your children are in the evening?” in an appeal on Wednesday (February 2).
The force said there had been problems with groups of teenagers causing issues of anti-social behaviour in the town centre for "several months", but said it had escalated in the last few weeks.
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Police added that the problems generally start from around 3pm on weekdays and go on all day at weekends. They include incidents of hate, assault and criminal damage to property and vehicles.
A force spokesman said: "I would like to ask you as parents 'do you know where your children are?'
"And if you believe that your child is or could be a member of this group, even a fringe or occasional member, please take any action you can to separate them from this activity.
"Their actions are causing a detrimental effect on the people who both work and visit our town centre and the businesses located here, we all want the best town centre it could possibly be, and it is in all our hands to preserve its prosperity.
"Police are currently looking at several prosecutions with regards this group and will be taking positive action against anyone found to be perpetrating such crimes and anti-social behaviour and may appear on Facebook or in your local paper.
"Do not let this be your son or daughter."
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