POLICE in Dunmow carried out a second successive operation to combat youth nuisance and criminal damage at the weekend. A team of 15 uniformed and plain-clothes police officers patrolled the streets of Dunmow and Stansted making stop checks on groups of y

POLICE in Dunmow carried out a second successive operation to combat youth nuisance and criminal damage at the weekend.

A team of 15 uniformed and plain-clothes police officers patrolled the streets of Dunmow and Stansted making stop checks on groups of youths.

Police reported that the streets were quiet during the operation.

Sgt James Gilchrist of Dunmow police station, said: "The message that we are about seems to be getting across."

The police action follows the story broken by the Dunmow Broadcast about residents in the town centre looking at funding their own CCTV system after several spates of vandalism and anti-social behaviour by gangs.

Kevin Sweeney, the White Street resident featured in the article,.

He said: "We have noticed a big difference and it's been quiet over the last couple of weeks.

"I'd like to say a big thank you to the police for their efforts, and I know that I speak for many people, especially the OAPs who live in the area.

"I hope they keep up the operations, especially the plain-clothes officers but it is important that residents help the police in dealing with issues like this."

During the operation, one 14-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested after the wing mirror of a car parked in the town was kicked and damaged.

The boy was later released on bail and will be given a final formal warning which will stay on his record and will be taken into account if he lands in trouble again.