Youths rub food on Pershore Asda's Queen tribute

A security guard at Asda said a gang of teenagers regularly torment staff at the supermarket, off King George's Way in Pershore.

Phil Sidney started working at the store earlier this year but says the last week has seen some of the most troubling behaviour yet.

“Saturday was probably the worst experience I have had in terms of bad behaviour by youths in Pershore,” he said.

“There were around 20 or 30 kids, all aged from 10 to 16, doing drugs and committing thefts.

“Police came and did nothing to control the group.

“Then, last Wednesday, we had a girl smear bacon and melon on the Queen’s face, before going and doing the same to a police car.”

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Asda in Pershore. Credit: Google Maps (Image: Asda in Pershore. Credit: Google Maps)

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Mr Sidney claims this problem has been going on for at least a year and that West Mercia Police has done little to address it.

He added: “Staff are petrified.

“One worker spoke to the police after a kid threatened to stab him with a knife.

“Members of the public are warning friends and relatives, telling them not to come into town and the elderly won’t come shopping in Asda, certainly not after dark.

“The police are reluctant to do anything because of the ages of the kids involved.

“The people of Pershore deserve better than they are getting.”

Inspector Alex Warner, from West Mercia’s Worcestershire Safer Neighbourhood Team, has said they are aware of the issues and are doing what they can to address them.

“I’d like to reassure the public that we understand what a negative affect anti-social behaviour has on the community and we are taking the issue extremely seriously,” he said.

“Our officers regularly patrol in this area and we have visited ASDA to discuss the issue with the store manager. We are also working to engage with the young people in the area to educate them on the consequences of taking part in anti-social behaviour to prevent any more participation in the future.

“I would urge anyone with information about a crime or concerns over anti-social behaviour in Pershore or the surrounding area to please report these via West Mercia Police website or by calling 101 so that we can respond in a timely manner.”