Asbo youths banned from wearing hoodies
At 7.45am yesterday, police units simultaneously visited four addresses in Torquay to serve the orders on the youths.
Joshua Garrett, 18, from Forest Road, Daniel Whitehead, 18, from Haslam Road and Dean Isaac, 19, from Third Avenue were served with the orders following a string of alleged anti-social behaviour including threats, thefts and failure to comply with voluntary contracts aimed at curbing their behaviour.
A fourth teenager, Ben Bramall, 18, from Cypress Close, was not at his family home when officers went there and police are appealing for anyone who may have seen him to come forward.
The four are now subject to a list of 10 of the most stringent conditions seen on an interim Asbo, including a ban on wearing hooded tops.
It is thought this is the first time in Devon and Cornwall such a restriction has been imposed.
The prohibitions include a curfew, an exclusion zone for the Plainmoor and St Marychurch area, a curb on 'abusive' and 'threatening' behaviour.
The group of teenagers are also not allowed in public together or to associate with a list of people who have allegedly fallen victim to their 'aggressive' behaviour.
Sgt Ian McClure who headed up the team of officers involved in serving the orders, said: "It is a fairly stringent prohibition on them.
"They are not allowed to wear a hat, baseball hat or hooded top in a public place.
"Even if they are just wearing a hooded top, without the hood up, they will break these conditions and be arrested.
"If two or more of them congregate in a public place, approach any of the local councillors, police officers, PCSOs or members of Torbay Safer Communities team listed, they will be arrested and it will be treated as contempt of court."
The interim Asbos follow months of hard work and evidence gathering by Safer Communities Torbay in partnership with the police.
Officers issuing the Asbo on Whitehead said he was 'stunned' and specifically asked about the condition regarding the wearing of a hooded top.
Sgt McClure said: "Their behaviour has been some of the worst, but they have all had their chance.
"They were advised their behaviour was bad and Torbay Safer Communities team and ourselves tried to work with them.
"Mr Whitehead was very stunned and quiet, he hardly said a word. He asked a question about the hoody and his father told him he cannot wear them."
Dean Isaac's father Gordon spoke to officers at his home and told them he did not know his son's whereabouts.
Mr Isaac co-operated with police and later took his son to Torquay Police Station where they served the Asbo.
The prohibitions start immediately the Asbo is served.
The Safer Communities Torbay ASB case manager, who did not want to be named, said: "We were getting complaints through the police so we started investigating the incidents and realised it was a more serious issue than minor anti-social behaviour. They have been verbally abusive and threatening.
"There have been lots of threats of physical violence and intimidating behaviour, including towards people's families, which is unacceptable."
She explained: "The prohibitions are very specific because the evidence we gathered showed there was a need to have them on there."
She also said witness reports had been 'vital' to the progression of the case.
Posters are being put up across Torbay showing photographs of the youths and detailing the conditions of their Asbo.
Members of Safer Communities Torbay will also be visiting neighbourhoods affected by the youth's anti social behaviour to offer advice and support.
The four youths are to appear at Totnes Magistrates Court at 11.45am on Wednesday December 3 for a full Asbo hearing.
