FIVE youths – one aged just 11-years-old – have been charged with a string of minor anti-social offences.

Saffron Walden’s neighbourhood policing team launched a small operation in a bid to clamp down on anti-social behaviour in the town.

That has led to the arrests of the five youngsters on suspicion of offences including theft, shoplifting and handling stolen goods.

The youngsters – all boys aged 11, 14 and 15 who live in the Saffron Walden area – answered their bail last Thursday (August 4) prior to the charges being made.

• An 11-year-old boy has been charged with two incidents of shoplifting from Tesco in Radwinter Road, the theft of a pedal cycle, and handling a stolen sat nav system.

• A 14-year-old boy has been charged with the theft of a pedal cycle and two incidents of shoplifting from the town’s Boots store.

• A 15-year-old has been charged with using threatening behaviour and assault at Costcutter in High Street, a second public order offence, the theft of a pedal cycle and shoplifting from Tesco.

• A 15-year-old has been charged with using threatening words and behaviour and shoplifting at Tesco.

• A 15-year-old has been charged with disorderly behaviour at Tesco.

The youths are due before magistrates at Harlow Youth Court on August 19.