Police mobbed by 100 youths throwing bricks and fireworks in Durham, as force tells parents 'take responsibility for your children'

Parents watched video footage and agreed kids’ behaviour was ‘appalling’

Police in County Durham have urged parents to take responsibility for their “out of control” children after a mob of 100 teenagers surrounded officers, with some throwing bricks and setting off fireworks.

Bodycam video footage of the attack in Stanley town centre on 3 November shows one teen punching a community support officer.

A “hardcore” group of around 20 youths hurled bricks and launched fireworks in the direction of the police, according to Sergeant Emma Kay.

Officers initially responded to a report of a “vulnerable female” at the town’s bus station around 8.40pm, before tensions rose and the attacks began.

Sergeant Emma Kay said the Saturday night rampage was one of several outbreaks of “out of control” behaviour from teenagers in the town centre in recent weeks.

“Disorder of this kind is totally unacceptable and violence against our officers will not be tolerated,” she said.

“Action will be taken against all the individuals involved that night and Stanley Police will continue to take positive action against anyone involved in this type of behaviour.”

Parents of identified teenagers were asked to come and review the footage from that night. “They all agreed the behaviour of the children was appalling,” said Sergeant Kay.

To prevent more disturbances, police have set up a text message service which will alert cooperative parents if there is further trouble in the town centre, asking them to collect their children and take them home.

“While there is a hardcore group of individuals involved in this incident, there are many more people stood on the sidelines, young people who are going to affect their life chances by continuing to engage in this type of behaviour” said Sergeant Kay.

“We’re asking for parents to step up to the plate, take responsibility for your children.”