People have said "parents should be held accountable" as gangs of kids caused misery at a Merseyside retail park.
Police placed a number of patrols in Stonedale Retail Park as part of a dispersal zone, following reports of gangs of kids causing trouble in recent days.
There were reports of yobs gathering and intimidating staff and diners, stealing driver delivery bikes and causing damage to bus stops and shop windows.
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Since the ECHO reported on about the anti-social behaviour, ECHO readers have shared their opinions on what should be done to deter the poor behaviour.
Many said parents of the children should "be held accountable".
Karen Glynn said: "It's awful I can't believe children behave this way, it's shocking.
"My daughter is 10 and I really worry about her wanting to go places like the cinema in the next few years and run in to gangs like this.
"I can't believe they aren't even scared of the police, where do they get the confidence and cockiness."
Graham Roberts added: "Verbal warnings won’t deter these yobs, they just return and carry on next day or even later the same day. They or their parents need to be given a hefty fine."
Mo Eloise also said: "About time parents are made accountable for their offspring."
One ECHO reader went to pick up his son from work at the retail park's McDonalds, he said it was "mayhem".
He said: "There must have been 40 or more of them causing trouble, sitting on parked cars, jumping in front of cars, spitting, swearing and hanging around the doors of McDonald’s pushing people as they came in or out."
Throughout Wednesday night police issued verbal warnings to a number of yobs in the area, in an attempt to stop any criminal damage and anti-social behaviour.
A spokesperson from the force said: "Merseyside Police provided high visibility patrols in the area around Stonedale retail park last night (Wednesday, February 23) as part of the dispersal zone in place.
“Officers engaged with groups of youths in the area and issued verbal warnings.
“We will continue to work to tackle anti-social behaviour in our communities across Merseyside and where we receive reports of such behaviour, we won’t hesitate to take action.”
“If you witness any anti-social behaviour or have any information about such incidents, please contact or speak to our officers and we will act.”
Always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour via our social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
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