Swadlincote Police are patrolling local parks in plain clothes to try and stop youths running off while causing anti-social behaviour or breaking Covid rules.

The town's Safer Neighbourhood Team have been policing parks in a bid to stamp out the problem.

But they know that, once they see a police uniform, they will make a quick exit.

Now though, the plain clothes approach means they can approach groups of youths and take them by surprise.

A post on the SNT Facebook page reads: "The Safer neighbourhood team are out patrolling the parks.

"The parks have seen an increase of large groups of youths gathering and causing ASB, on seeing our high visibility uniforms they run off.

"Unfortunately for the groups, the team have also been doing plain clothes patrols and walked right up to the groups to their surprise.

"The High visibility and plain clothes patrols will continue.

"Parents, the lockdown is still on and your kids cannot gather in large groups causing ASB.

"Our beautiful parks are well kept for everyone to enjoy, so please respect them and our community that uses them."