TEENS laid tyre spikes in the road and damaged a scaffolding site in Hexham.

At the redevelopment of Dontino's, a former nightclub in the centre of Hexham, the group of offenders took nails from the scaffolding site and laid them on the road like tyre spikes, and ripped off the scaffolding's foam protectors between 8pm and 8.30pm.

Lauren Critchley saw the group of teenagers carrying the scaffolding protection and her car's tyres were damaged when she drove over the spikes. 

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"We saw a group of teenagers walking past the County Hotel holding the foam protectors from the scaffolding on Broadgates. Then the screws were lined up like tyre spikes on Broadgates and we drove over them," said Ms Critchley.

She reported the incident to police on the same night and a full investigation has now been launched.

She added as the road is single track and is surrounded by buildings and scaffolding, the situation could've ended a lot worse than just her car's tyres being damaged.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "On Friday, (August 12) we were made aware of a report of criminal damage which involved a group of offenders stealing nails from a nearby construction site and placing them on the road near Broadgates, Hexham.

"This type of behaviour is totally unacceptable and incredibly dangerous. A full investigation has been launched to identify those responsible."

Regular incidents of vandalism have taken place in Hexham over the past few weeks, with the Hexham Giant in the Sele Park being attacked and a resident's window being smashed by a brick at Hallstile Bank.

Vandalism has been reported at Quatre Bras allotments, at Hexham Bus Station, and the Sele Park's Bandstand was damaged. 

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Northumbria Police set up Operations Bandstand to crack down on the anti-social behaviour, and will see areas in Hexham monitored, such as the town centre and Sele Park areas. 

Extra patrols have been arranged and the possibility of additional CCTV being installed is also being explored.

Hexham Town Council is also working with residents to hold public meetings with parents, schools and the community to address anti-social behaviour in the community.