POLICE in Teignmouth have cracked down on anti-social behaviour with a weekend operation across the town centre.
The operation was in response to concerns about a rise in such behaviour and repeated complaints.
Issues reported to police in the last few weeks have included damage to beach huts, fires being lit, discarded litter and shoplifting.
Incidents have taken place around The Point, The Rowdens and through the town centre. On Friday night, officers from the neighbourhood policing team with two PCSOs and four special constables sent several groups of youths away who had come to Teignmouth and were heading to The Point.
Alcohol was removed from some of the group.
Several individuals were searched and officers found cannabis and other drug paraphernalia.
A driver was also reported for having no insurance.
On Saturday, a large group of youths were discovered in The Rowdens and were moved on by officers.
A large number of alcohol bottles were also found at the scene and removed by police.
A police spokesman said: ‘Most of the young people spoken to over the weekend were polite and reasonable, and understood that the police were there to respond to the behaviour of a minority of individuals who are responsible for causing issues.
‘These individuals responsible are being dealt with through the anti-social behaviour escalation process.’