Egg sales ban in bid to halt danger craze

Youths have been throwing eggs, stones and other objects at moving cars.

Three teenagers have been arrested for stone throwing in the Accrington Road area of Burnley and police say more arrests will follow elsewhere in the borough.

Police are acting to stop the problem, which is most prominent in the Accrington Road, Brunshaw Road and Padiham Road areas of Burnley.

They have advised shopkeepers to refuse to sell eggs to teenagers if they think they may be used as missiles.

Schools have been urged to warn youths about the dangers of throwing things at cars.

Police foot and bike patrols have been stepped up in problem areas and there will be extra patrols by undercover officers in unmarked vehicles.

And parents of suspected offenders are being visited by police.

Already the tactics have proved effective with an unmarked police car being attacked and three youths being arrested.

And the scheme has received backing from shopkeepers. U N Parmar, of the Spar shop, Accrington Road, said: "We got the message from head office not to sell eggs to kids a couple of weeks ago.

"I applaud what the police are trying to do. We need the police to stop in this area so that the kids move away from causing trouble here. My customers are frightened to come out, especially the elderly and customers' cars are getting damaged."

Inspector Chris Bithell from Burnley Police said: "We're having to put a significant amount of time and effort into tackling this problem because it's of growing concern to our local communities.

"Throwing missiles at moving vehicles is also an extremely reckless and dangerous thing to do, putting not only the driver and passengers at risk but also other road users.

"Three young people have already been arrested and if this problem persists more arrests will follow. Unless these youngsters curb their behaviour, they face the very real danger of ruining their lives by getting a criminal record."