POLICE in Chippenham are being urged to act against two teenage tearaways whose anti-social behaviour is terrorising the town’s businesses and residents.

Officers have been asked to launch an investigation into an incident on Sunday, May 29 during the Chippenham Folk Festival.

It is alleged the hooligans both climbed up scaffolding around the Hays Travel shop in the High Street.

They threw tins of paint off the roof of the Boots store, splattering roof tiles, the pavement and a parked van below, and damaging the front of the Boots shop window.

Wiltshire Times: The damaged roof tiles on top of the Boots store in Chippenham. Photo: BootsThe damaged roof tiles on top of the Boots store in Chippenham. Photo: Boots

The Boots store manager, who did not wish to be named, said: “I've reported him to the police also for criminal damage to the front of my store.

“The window cleaner managed to get all the paint off my front window, but the pavement is a mess.

“I’ve made a report to the police, and so has the van driver, and they’ve given me a crime reference number, but I’m still waiting for them to come and interview me.”

The Wiltshire Times has been given names for both boys but is unable to identify them publicly for legal reasons.

One of the boys has been terrorising locals, including one mum-of-two who posted a comment on social media, saying: “Just had my first lovely encounter with the schoolboy that’s been plastered all over this page recently for terrorising people.

“He decided to shout verbal abuse at me, and when I gave him a mouthful he then threw a can of coke at me whilst I was with my five and six-year-olds! Hoping his parents see this!”

The mother said she had reported the incident to police, adding: “He can’t go around behaving like this with no consequences.

“I’m pretty sure it’s the same one that was ringing people’s doorbells and leaving unpleasant messages a few weeks ago.”

Another resident said several shop owners close to Chippenham Railway Station have also reported the elder teenager, adding: “The police don’t do anything and the kids don’t care. It’s truly madness.”

A Wiltshire Police spokeswoman said: “We received a report of criminal damage at approximately 4.30pm on Sunday, 29 May in Chippenham town centre.

“Two youths reportedly threw tins of paint from the roof of Boots, causing damage to shop windows, roof tiles and the pavement below. Damage was also caused to a vehicle during the incident.

“Behaviour of this nature will not be tolerated and enquiries are currently ongoing to identify those involved.

“Anyone with information should call 101 and quote crime reference number 54220056059.”