A TEENAGER who armed himself with a hammer to carry out a shop robbery in Crewe has been given a curfew as part of a criminal behaviour order to curb his criminality.

The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been committing a string of anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and violence since 2011.

The issue came to a head on October 7 when he entered a newsagents in Coleridge Road in Crewe and threatened staff with a hammer demanding the man hand over the till.

At Crewe Magistrates Court on November 15 the teenager was issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order with a number of strict conditions which prevent him from leaving his address between 6pm and 6am, and ban him from entering areas around the Sherbourne estate unless given express permission by police to do so or he is in the company of his guardians.

He is also prohibited from, using language, or doing anything to people, or in front of people that would cause them to be threatened or intimidated, throwing items or trespassing on anyone’s property without their permission which includes sitting on walls, running in and out of the front area or garden of properties or climbing on a roof. He is also prohibited from associating with a number of named people.

Cllr Janet Clowes, cabinet member for adult social care and integration said: “His behaviour impacted on members of the public and we had no alternative but to seek a Criminal Behaviour Order.

"We hope it gives him the boundaries he needs to improve his behaviour. In the case of a young person, taking a criminal case is always a last resort and our officers have spent a considerable amount of time over several years to support everyone involved.

"However, there has to be a point at which we say, enough is enough, our residents have the right to live in peace and without fear and we must protect them from individuals who don’t respect this. We know it can be difficult but we would urge people to report anti-social behaviour to us.”

To report anti-social behaviour to Cheshire East Council, please telephone 0300 123 5030 or e-mail safer@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Insp Kate Buckingham, who leads on partnership working for Crewe Local Policing Unit, added: “This action came about as a result of persistent offending which was escalating to more serious offences.

“I hope this sends a strong message that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in our towns and, working closely with our partners, we will take robust action against those who persistently cause trouble and commit crime in Crewe.”

The police action and successful application for the Criminal Behaviour Order is part of an ongoing joint initiative between police and Cheshire East Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team to tackle anti-social behaviour committed by young people.