POLICE are to force youths who smashed shop windows to pay for the repairs and visit the owners in a crackdown on yobs blighting Shildon.

The Ferguson’s Bramble Farm shop, on Church Street, had some of its windows broken by unknown vandals at 11pm on Saturday, October 25.

Then just four days later on Wednesday, October 29, at 8pm the windows were smashed again, this time by two teenagers.

Shildon police arrested two youths, a 13-year-old and a 17-year-old, following the second attack but instead of taking them to court they will face an alternative punishment.

The youngsters will be forced to speak to shop owners Andrew and Christine Ferguson, to explain their actions.

The repairs are expected to cost £180 and the youths will be made to pay for the work.

PC Dave Littlefair, of Shildon police, said: “We arrested two people for the second attack and we will deal with them through restorative justice.

“We will make them speak to the business owners and we will speak to the youths and their parents too. We think this will solve this issue."

Mr Ferguson said: “We replaced the windows and then they were put out again in a copycat attack.

“I don’t think the youths will want to do it again but it has all been a waste of money.”

This attack is the latest of several incidents involving youths causing problems in Shildon, with most of the incidents taking place on Church Street and Cheapside.

In one incident youths threw eggs and stones at houses in Shildon last month.

Then a gang of youngsters, including the 13-year-old arrested over the damaged windows, were seen causing havoc on Church Street and Cheapside on Wednesday, November 5, at about 7.30pm.

They pulled flowers out of the planters on Church Street and Cheapside which they threw at shops and cars.

PC Littlefair even rode in a resident’s car, which had plants thrown at it, along Cheapside to try to catch the culprits.

He said: “We know who is responsible for the plant throwing and we will be dealing with them.

“It is disgraceful behaviour and throwing a plant at a car could cause a crash. It caused a heck of a mess too.

“We have increased patrols in the area and we’re speaking to shop owners as some of them have been abused by the youths.

“We are seeking an ASBO against one 14-year-old girl and we are going to stop the youths causing problems.

“Shildon is a good town and we want to keep its good reputation.”