GANGS of youths have been creating "havoc" for traders and shoppers in Oswestry town centre.

Steven Watts, chairman of Oswestry Market Traders Group, raised the issue with the latest town council meeting.

He said: "I wish to bring to your attention a situation developing in the town centre lately: at least two gangs of youths are causing various types of havoc."

Mr Watts said that one of the gangs includes pupils from the Marches School, who rode scooters, and another group of youngsters on bicycles.

He added that some of the youths wanted to use the Market Hall to use the ramp, and there had been several near misses, including a woman with a pram.

"I don't know what the answer is, I know police resources are limited," he said

"(Perhaps) a letter from the council to the school or to the police to request officers to attend?"

Town clerk David Preston said that the council was aware of the issue.

He said that the mayor of Oswestry, Councillor Sandy Best, has raised the situation with John Campion, police and crime commissioner for West Mercia and there had also been meetings with Inspector Tracey Ryan about general issues of anti-social behaviour in the town.

Mr Preston added that the council had contacted Marches School about the issues which had been reported.

The council would go back to Insp Ryan and highlight the issues again, he said.

Insp Ryan told the Advertizer that the force was doing all it could to address issues with youths in the area.

"We have been doing foot patrols but we have not come across anything when out and about," she added.

There had been anecdotal evidence not been any reports to police from members of the public.

She encouraged anyone with information to call West Mercia Police on 101.