'Feral' youths aged 10 blamed for havoc in Dinnington

The age of some of the tearaways was revealed in a video filmed by MP Jake Richards at Dinnington's bus station.

“We have had lots of quite serious reports of anti-social behaviour happening here recently,” he said.

“Young lads mainly – some as young as 10, throwing bricks at cars, causing all sorts of havoc.

“I have spoken to South Yorkshire Police – they are taking action," he said.

“We are taking more patrols in the area and they are also making some investigations. They have identified some of the group of the kids that are causing all this trouble.”

The MP promised he would now be contacting schools and the council in a bid to tackle the issue before planned regeneration work transforms the town centre.

“There is more we can do so I am going to be reaching out to local schools as well as the council, to make sure that we are engaging with young people about their responsibilities,” he said.

“We are also seeing whether we can get better CCTV in this area, to try and keep our high streets safe and looking nice.

“We have got the regeneration programme happening here in Dinnington… and as and when this area gets rebuilt and its going to look nice, we don't want it ruined again by anti-social behaviour.

“So I am going to be working with the police, with the council, with local people, to really get a grip of it.”

Mr Richards said it was “incredibly frustrating” to see anti-social behaviour continuing in Dinnington, particularly around the outdoor market and bus interchange.

“I have spoken to a number of residents and business owners, who have seen children who look as young as 10 damaging property, throwing bricks at vehicles and being generally abusive to passers by,” he wrote.

He welcomed an increased police presence and the introduction of Street Safe (community safety) patrols, but said “more could be done” to keep the area safe.

“Dinnington is entering into an exciting new phase, as we look towards work beginning on the high street regeneration project,” he added.

“We do not need this work disrupted, threatened or indeed, damaged by children.”

The comments prompted a reaction online, with several residents blaming poor parenting for the behaviour.

One person wrote: “What about parents? Their children are their responsibility and if kids are caught again and again – fine the parents.”

Another added: “Discipline begins at home.”

A third posted: “What if the parents are fined and given some kind of punishment maybe the kids (will) then be shook up enough to not do it... the problem of the kids doing this stems from home some, not all, parents have the attitude out of sight out of mind.”

One woman said similar problems were being experienced in Aston, Aughton and Swallownest.

The concerns echo complaints raised by traders and residents interviewed by the BBC last month about worsening disorder in Dinnington.

Nigel Tatton, manager of the town’s outdoor market, spoke of gangs of “feral” teenagers riding bikes on the market roof and “ripping off” panels.

Roadhouse Bar worker Tania Dye said youths were “making the area scruffy”, with reports of motorbikes and quad bikes being ridden through the area while youngsters “shout abuse and throw rocks and litter”.

Rotherham Council launched its £570,000 Street Safe team in November, deploying 10 officers across Dinnington, Rotherham, Wath, Swinton and Maltby to tackle anti-social behaviour hotspots.

The latest concerns come as Dinnington prepares for a £12m government-funded regeneration scheme aimed at transforming the town centre. The cash, announced through the Levelling Up programme, was designated to fund the clearing of burnt-out buildings, improve the outdoor market and create a new commercial square in the town.