BOOZED-up teenagers are blighting businesses and shoppers at stores in Warners End.
The yobs are shoplifting, badgering passers-by to buy them alcohol and cigarettes, harassing security guards and even pedalling their bikes round the aisles.
Rifaz Rafi, shift manager at Tesco in Stoneycroft, said: “We’re having a lot of problems.
“We’ve caught them shoplifting. They’re drunk. They get someone else to buy them things and they get drunk.
“Two or three of them come in to cause a distraction and one nicks something.”
Tom Digby, store manager at the nearby Cooperative supermarket, said: “They are a general nuisance.
“When there are seven or eight it’s quite intimidating for staff.”
The youths are gathering at the phone box in Stoneycroft in the evenings and have become wise to when store security guards are on duty, targeting shops when cover is thin.
One resident said: “I’ve been called every name under the sun because I won’t buy them booze or fags.”
Linda McDaid, landlady at the Top of the World pub, said: “They’ve had them going in the shops and riding round the aisles.
“There’s no amenities for children so there’s nothing for them to do but hang around the shops.”
Herts police said in a statement: “Safer Neighbourhood officers are aware of concerns in relation to anti-social behaviour and are pro-actively working with the community to tackle these issues.
“Measures include carrying out high visibility patrols and issuing anti-social behaviour contracts.
“Dealing with youth nuisance has also been set as a priority for officers to tackle.
“Officers will continue to work with people in the neighbourhood to address any issues but if anyone has any further concerns at all they should contact the team.”