AN unruly teenage girl has been banned from loitering outside shops after repeatedly causing trouble in Clacton.

The 14-year-old girl, from Clacton, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was issued with the 12-month Criminal Behaviour Order after being dealt with by police numerous times for assault, theft, public order offences, assaulting a police officer and anti-social behaviour.

Criminal Behaviour Orders are given to repeat offenders who cause disorder and can prohibit specified acts.

The order prohibits the girl from acting in an anti-social manner which causes nuisance or annoyance to members of the public and loitering outside or entering a school or educational facility in Tendring, of which she is not a student.

It also forbids her from loitering outside any Co-op store in the Clacton area and associating with people, named in the order, in a public place.

PC Nicola Southgate, from the Clacton Community Policing Team, said: "Whilst we can't name this individual due to her age, we hope that this shows the type of action we are taking against those who continual commit crime and cause disorder within our community.

"We need the community to help by reporting not only crime but anti-social behaviour too, by calling 101.

"This enables us to understand the concerns of the community and build a comprehensive picture around crime in the area, so that we can take action."

One town security guard, who did not want to be named, said Clacton has suffered from unruly teenagers for some time, but that he welcomed the order.

He said: "Some of these teens and their gangs are a pain.

"They are banned from most shops for stealing and have been nicked loads of times.

"A group even kicked off in B&M at Waterglade Retail Park last year and threatened staff.

"They seem to get away with a lot. It's quite scary as they are so young."