Gangs of youths caused havoc in Newton Abbot at the weekend, overstretching police resources. Police believed the trouble stemmed from a gang coming from Torquay by train, allegedly to fight with Newton youths. Between 12 and 15 youths were followed on CCTV through the town. The group, including several girls, were between 17 and 22 years old. Police disarmed an 18-year-old local man wielding a firebeater near the railway station around 10.20pm on Friday. A 'hoodie' lashed out, kicking the outside door to a block of nearby flats in Queen Street, causing £350 damage. Ten minutes later, police saw the man – who had grabbed the fire beater from a nearby car – waving it threateningly. They arrested him. He was taken into custody and issued with a penalty notice for disorder. At Newton Abbot, the railway station platforms, ticket office and car parks are covered by 24-hour CCTV, but staff have been worried the station has become a 'hot spot' for trouble, said police. In a separate incident, a 30-year-old man was jumped by a gang of youths who pounced as he walked past. The group – aged between 14 and 16 and described as 10 to 12 strong – had gathered near a burger van in the Courtenay Street and Queen Street area between midnight and 1am on Sunday. The man said that he was chased by the mob, which included two girls. Two of the youths caught up with him and attacked him, hitting him and injuring his face and head, giving him a swollen lower lip. The man fell and the youths searched his clothing and wallet, taking his Sony Ericsson K800i mobile phone and about £50 in notes. Plenty of criminal damage and vandalism was also reported, including scratched vehicles and smashed door mirrors. Insp Andy Dower, of Newton Abbot police, said he was unhappy with the number of incidents which occurred in Newton Abbot during the weekend. 'We have an operation running for the next month to provide higher police presence in the main areas of the town affected. 'We have some dedicated police resources investigating the crimes that occurred and we hope to bring about a speedy conclusion so that we can charge suspects where we have sufficient evidence.' he said.
