POLICE in Dawlish say they are working closely with retailers in the town in a bid to tackle shoplifters and anti-social behaviour.

There has been growing concern about the number of incidents and a group of teenagers ‘terrorising’ the town.

The Boots store in The Strand was recently broken into where perfume was stolen, damage caused inside and forcing the shop to close for a day.

Other incidents have involved criminal damage, smashed bottles and damage to shopping trolleys.

Neighbourhood Beat Manager for Dawlish PC George Miller said two youths who were racially abusive towards security staff at the Co-op and the owners of VIP Vape Shop, both in the Strand have been identified.

One was arrested for several offences and the other has a Youth Civil Injunction which was issued due to his behaviour in Teignmouth and police will be progressing a breach of that order.

PC Miller saiid: ‘I work closely with several shop managers and Dawlish Chamber of Trade, and the increased reporting is a testament to shops taking proactive measures to challenge shoplifters and persons causing ASB.

‘I have been in contact with Dawlish Town Council ASB Working Group around increasing CCTV in Dawlish and am exploring Police and Crime Commissioner grants.’

An information sign by the men’s toilets has also recently been smashed up.

One resident said: ‘How can we stop the town being slowly trashed?

‘In the last week the trolleys were smashed up outside the Coop, one was dumped at the Manor Gardens, it is only going to get worse.’

Another reported: ‘This is getting beyond a joke we watched the usual group just before 10pm try to remove a whole pallet of goods from the Co-op.

‘There was so many of them the security guard didn't stand a chance, then they proceeded to smash bottles they stole all over the pavement.’

One angry local added: ‘There has been so much anti social behaviour in the town centre recently, being caused by a few teenagers.’