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Bouncer employed to guard 'plagued' Stockton pharmacy | Bouncer employed to guard 'plagued' Stockton pharmacy |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A pharmacy has employed a team of bouncers to protect staff who are being "plagued" by a gang of youths. | A pharmacy has employed a team of bouncers to protect staff who are being "plagued" by a gang of youths. |
Manager Richard Lyness is paying a private security firm £1,200 a month to guard the entrance to the Pharmacy World shop in Stockton, Teesside. | Manager Richard Lyness is paying a private security firm £1,200 a month to guard the entrance to the Pharmacy World shop in Stockton, Teesside. |
He claims a "hardcore" group of youths are targeting the premises in the Roseworth area of the town and have even made threats to kill. | He claims a "hardcore" group of youths are targeting the premises in the Roseworth area of the town and have even made threats to kill. |
Cleveland Police said they would make arrests where necessary. | Cleveland Police said they would make arrests where necessary. |
Mr Lyness said in recent weeks he and staff have endured racial slurs, indecent exposure and theft. | Mr Lyness said in recent weeks he and staff have endured racial slurs, indecent exposure and theft. |
"We have had to employ a private security firm at £1,200 a month. We are a small business and we can't afford this long-term." | "We have had to employ a private security firm at £1,200 a month. We are a small business and we can't afford this long-term." |
'Bored children' | 'Bored children' |
He added: "We have been forced to do this because the police can't guarantee our safety and we have to make sure our patients and customers are safe. | |
"We have been doing flu vaccinations lately and elderly customers are telling us that they feel terrorised by these youths." | "We have been doing flu vaccinations lately and elderly customers are telling us that they feel terrorised by these youths." |
Paul Chapman, from the nearby Codfather fish and chip shop, said: "We don't need a minority spoiling it for everybody. | Paul Chapman, from the nearby Codfather fish and chip shop, said: "We don't need a minority spoiling it for everybody. |
"The council are trying to improve the area but you have a hard core of 13 to 15-year-olds who are simply bored children who have been excluded from school and [have] nothing better to do." | "The council are trying to improve the area but you have a hard core of 13 to 15-year-olds who are simply bored children who have been excluded from school and [have] nothing better to do." |
Cleveland Police said officers have arranged a meeting with Mr Lyness "to address the issues affecting him specifically". | Cleveland Police said officers have arranged a meeting with Mr Lyness "to address the issues affecting him specifically". |
A spokesman added: "These people are small in number but they will not engage with us so we are having to look at other ways of moving things forward. | A spokesman added: "These people are small in number but they will not engage with us so we are having to look at other ways of moving things forward. |
"We will continue to support Mr Lyness and take action against those individuals where it is appropriate for the police to do so." | "We will continue to support Mr Lyness and take action against those individuals where it is appropriate for the police to do so." |
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