Shoppers and store staff say rowdy youths are causing havoc in Weymouth town centre.

Several groups of youths have been causing mayhem on the streets and in the shops, including riding a bike around stores.

Police are aware and say they are taking action.

Incidents have occurred throughout the town, with reports of groups going into shops and creating trouble for both staff and customers.

One resident told how a group of about 10-15 boys caused trouble in TK Maxx, New Bond Street on Tuesday afternoon.

She told the Echo how the group entered the store, with one member on a bike speeding up the aisles doing wheelies, whilst the others climbed under rails of clothes.

They then went upstairs with the bike, at which point staff called for security.

The witness said the group came down the stairs whilst encouraging the boy with the bike to ride down.

After being told off by an assistant, the boy got off his bike near the bottom of the stairs, before then proceeding to speed around doing wheelies.

Police were called to the incident but the youths fled.

The witness said the same boys reappeared shortly afterwards in the area of New Look and Poundland, with staff at the discount store preventing them entrance to the store.

The resident, who wished to remain unnamed, said: “I cannot understand why, even after the police turned up, their behaviour continued.”

TK Maxx did not want to comment.

Dave Hiscutt, manager of Londis on Westham Road and member of the Weymouth Shopwatch group said: “A small group of youths at the moment are running riot through some of the stores ignoring store and security staff. Though the police are responding to incidents, it doesn’t seem that this alone is curbing the issue.”

He added: “My store had eight or nine youths come in creating issues. It is turning into a battle, with events like this almost a daily occurrence over the last month.

“The issues are isolated to one or two groups.

“Hopefully we will see a further police presence in the town.”

Sgt Billy Taylor, of Weymouth neighbourhood policing team, said: “The neighbourhood policing team proactively deals with any reports of anti-social behaviour and works tirelessly with residents, businesses and partner agencies such as the borough council’s community safety team to tackle these issues.

“We are aware of recent reports of anti-social behaviour in Weymouth town centre involving a group of teenagers and we will take action and prosecute offenders if a criminal offence has been identified.

“Officers also have the power to issue dispersal notices if those individuals are causing anti-social behaviour.

“We are linked in with Weymouth ShopWatch, which allows businesses to communicate with each other and with police if crime or anti-social behaviour takes place.

“If anyone witnesses anti-social behaviour report it to Dorset Police.”