Three teenage boys have appeared in court after being charged with robbery, drugs and knife offences in Bridgwater. The boys, who legally cannot be named due to their age, are aged between 13 and 16.
Police received reports of a group of people harassing a man in Bridgewater town centre on Friday, January 3. Officers seized 20 wraps of cannabis and a large knife from a teenage boy, police have said.
A 13-year-old boy was charged with possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply. He was also charged with possession of a bladed article and assaulting an emergency worker.
He appeared at Taunton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, January 6. He pleaded guilty and was handed an eight-month referral order by the court.
Around 5.30pm on Saturday, January 4, a man was approached in Bridgwater town centre by three boys. The victim was threatened by the teenagers, who demanded he hand over a pair of trainers. Police also received a report of an attempted robbery by a group of three boys a short while later.
A 13-year-old boy and two 16-year-old boys were charged with robbery and attempted robbery in connection to the two incidents on January 4. They appeared at Taunton Magistrates’ on Monday, January 6 and were bailed with conditions ahead of a trial on July 23.
Avon and Somerset Police added that Community Protection Warnings have also been handed to the two 16-year-olds.
Neighbourhood Inspector Sarah Knight said: “Our neighbourhood team is working closely with specialist officers to address issues of anti-social behaviour and criminality in Bridgwater. While we will always investigate these offences, it is not something we can police our way out of and so we are also collaborating closely with our partners to support education initiatives and to address the issues underlying youth offending and identify those most at risk.
“I encourage any parent who is concerned about their child and the company they are keeping to get in touch with the neighbourhood team. Working together with parents is crucial in resolving these issues and supporting our community.
“We’d also encourage people to continue reporting incidents of anti-social behaviour and crime to us. This information is vital in helping us build an intelligence picture which can be used to inform proactive work.”