An ‘aggressive’ gang of youths who vandalised a Sidmouth beauty spot has resulted in police slapping New Year’s Eve sanctions and arrest powers on the town.
Police said around 100 loud youths drinking alcohol and acting aggressively in Connaught Gardens on Tuesday night (December 30) caused criminal damage.
Greenhouses in Connaught Gardens were targeted by vandals who smashed glass windows protecting the succulents and plants.
Glass windows of one of the greenhouses in Connaught Gardens were smashed by vandals.
Photo: with permission.
One visitor to the gardens said several large rocks had been thrown through the windows of the cactus house, ‘lots’ of bins in the gardens were damaged and beer cans were ‘everywhere’.
Police broke up the gang of youths and some were collected by their parents.
Now police have slapped a Section 35 Dispersal Order on the town amid the youths’ anti-social actions, giving officers powers to arrest anyone behaving badly.
The dispersal zone, in place from now until 8.15pm on Thursday, January 1, 2026, includes large swathes of the seafront and town, including Jacob’s Ladder.
Police promised ‘zero tolerance’ towards anyone caught behaving badly in the zone. Culprits will be ordered to leave or face arrest.
The dispersal zone, in place from now until 8.15pm on Thursday, January 1, 2026, includes large swathes of the seafront and town, including Jacob’s Ladder.
Image: D&C Police.
Officers want to hear from anyone with information about the youths who vandalised the gardens.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokeswoman said: “We were called at around 7.30pm on 30 December to a report of around 100 youths behaving in an anti-social manner including causing criminal damage, drinking alcohol and behaving in a loud aggressive manner.
“Officers attended to engaged with the group, gave words of advice and dispersed them. Some were collected by parents, some made their own ways out of the area.
“Enquiries are ongoing in relation to the criminal damage.”
Many residents reacted with dismay to the vandalism and anti-social behaviour. Some vented their anger or disappointment on social media, calling on the authorities to provide more activities for youths, with some sympathising with the bored youngsters.
One wrote said: “I heard disruption going on last night whilst walking near Jacob’s Ladder, I didn’t approach as previous attempts at trying to verbally reason with youngsters back in the summer during similar events was met with a general lack of respect and verbal abuse and having been the victim of an assault earlier on this year I’m not going to put myself in harm’s way anymore knowing the police are woefully under resourced and may not be able to respond on a 999 call.
“This comment is not raised at any individuals it is a comment made in the hope our local MP and councillors will campaign for our town and the police to have better resource please.
“That said, the youth centre has gone and I don’t see much provision going on to keep youngsters out of trouble.”
They added: “In addition evening bus services between Exeter and Sidmouth are now very poor 1.5 hours between busses, previously hourly, thus again making it difficult for some of the older youth to go for an evening out where venues are more tailored to a younger group. Other towns have a night bus as well, why not us? Perhaps our local councillors can answer this as well please?”
Another said: “That’s sad, we were just there day after Boxing Day and had a lovely walk and a hot drink from the cafe there just before sunset.
“There were some teens hanging about playing football but they weren’t causing any problems, seemed normal and polite.”
One commented: “They’ve been roaming around Connaught Gardens for decades. Our son was attacked in there 20 years ago. Every night you can hear them in there causing a disturbance. They’re making it a no-go area for those of us who want an evening stroll or last dog walk of the day. The words closing, stable door, horse and bolted spring to mind. You’re woefully too late.”
Another response to the dispersal zone said: “There has been a lot of damage to the toilets over several months at the Esplanade which is believed to be the “youth” in town. It simply causes damage which has to be sorted at a high cost and makes something that was nice, a mess for the community. This needs stopping. Sad we have come to this as a community.”
One of the replies noted: “The youth centre demolished in Manstone Lane needs to be rebuilt with a full programme of activities and coffee bar. They are bored, nothing to do and with nowhere to go.”
Police said the Section 35 Dispersal Order has been authorised under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, due to a large number of youths causing significant anti-social behaviour in Sidmouth on December 30.
The rural East Devon police team released a map of the town, highlighting in red the dispersal order zone now in place.
A spokesperson for the East Devon policing team said: “If a police officer has reasonable grounds to suspect your behaviour has contributed or is likely to contribute to members of the public being harassed, alarmed, or distressed or lead to crime or disorder you will be required to leave the specified area and not to return until the specified date and time. Failure to adhere to this will result in your arrest.
“The safety of the local community, visitors, and businesses remain our priority and we will ensure visible patrols are conducted to robustly enforce this.
“Anyone found committing offences or engaging in anti-social behaviour will be dealt with swiftly, including arrest where necessary. There will be zero tolerance for further disruption, damage, or anti-social behaviour within the area.”
The spokesperson added: “As part of the ongoing anti-social behaviour we have been made aware of criminal damage caused at Connaught Gardens.
“Please could we ask anyone with any information on those responsible to contact us.
“Thank you to the vast majority of people who behave responsibly and respectfully. These measures are necessary to protect the community and prevent further harm.”
Report your information through the force website, or call police on 101, quoting reference 50250332031.
