POLICE have been clamping down on unruly teens gathering at Haverfordwest’s Castle Square over the summer holidays.

The town’s police officers were called to a series of low level public order offences, criminal damage, and common assaults on Castle Square over the early part of the summer holidays.

They have since started handing using dispersal orders under Section 34 of the Antisocial Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 to move the young people responsible, who are between 11-18 years old.

“The calls were initially on the weekends, however they started to occur on a daily basis for a period of two weeks,” said a police spokesperson.

“This has since reduced and we have not authorised any Section 34 authorities in the last three weeks.”

These dispersal orders allow the police to move someone from an area where they are causing disruption or committing offences for up to 48 hours.

Dyfed-Powys Police is now trying to work with Pembrokeshire County Council on a “problem solving approach” to the issues on the square.

The police spokesperson said: “We have met with the local authority with the aim of taking action to identify the cause and look at solutions to deter.

“Diversionary programmes are being set up for the summer to provide young people with activities, which will hopefully deter offences.

“The names of those identified by police as being involved in antisocial behaviour have been provided to the local authority, and we are working together to speak to these youngsters and identify if they or their families need any help that the local authority could assist with.”

Lisa Evans, one of the managers at El Sabor, a restaurant in the corner of Castle Square said they had some issues with young people earlier in the month.

“When it is raining a lot of people come to gather under the archway in front of El Sabor, but a few groups of kids have caused some trouble here too,” she said.

The Poundland shop on Castle Square has also been the victim of unruly behaviour, with members of the public complaining of disruption outside and discovering fast food dropped in the doorway.

The police are also trying to address concerns of business owners at the Riverside Shopping Centre and near the multi-storey car park.

In the latest Haverfordwest crime statistics for June this year, eight crimes were reported at the car park, including three incidents of anti-social behaviour and three of criminal damage and arson.

Near Bridge Street and Castle Square during the same time, there were 20 crimes reported, including seven incidents of anti-social behaviour and three of criminal damage and arson.

For more information, visit the Police UK website.