POLICE are to get tough on a gang of youths that congregate in a town centre at night. During recent weeks police have seized alcohol and cannabis during random searches among the youths that gather in the Market Square, Biggleswade, on Friday and Saturda

POLICE are to get tough on a gang of youths that congregate in a town centre at night.

During recent weeks police have seized alcohol and cannabis during random searches among the youths that gather in the Market Square, Biggleswade, on Friday and Saturday nights.

The gang often numbers up to 30 teenagers and has been growing in recent weeks which is why the police have decided to take stronger measures and disperse them as quickly as possible.

Police fear that with lighter nights and warmer weather on the way the group could possibly double in size which would made them more difficult to control.

They are also worried that with the group loitering close to town centre pubs they might provoke trouble with late night drinkers.

Also, during the clampdown on the group, police will be checking with local off-licences and supermarkets to make sure alcohol is not being sold to under-age youths.

"The problem starts every Friday night with this group of teenagers gathering in the town centre and we want to clear away the problem before the group gets any bigger," said Biggleswade beat manager Pc Ian Wilson.

"Controlling 30 teenagers is difficult but if that figure doubled it would be very difficult for officers to police.

"What we don't want is them to have any confrontation with members of the public and if they have been drinking alcohol we could have a serious situation."

Pc Wilson added: "In recent weeks we have seized alcohol, and cannabis was found on one youth. Warning tickets have been issued and if they are stopped with alcohol again, they will be given a £50 on-the-spot penalty fine.

"We are also monitoring shops that sell alcohol to make sure they are not selling it to youths who are under age.

"Also, if youths are stopped and reported for any offence their parents will also be informed."

Police say they will also be monitoring the group with the help of CCTV in the town centre to try and spot any ringleaders of the group.

"We are using every surveillance method possible to keep an eye on this group of youths to make sure we can disperse them quickly if there is any trouble or if the group becomes too big," said Pc Wilson.