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Feral youngsters are openly smoking weed in Gloucester city centre and intimidating passers-by with their antisocial behaviour, a letter has claimed.

The letter, sent to Gloucestershire Live by a man who visited the area last Friday (September 15), says young teens are taking over the city in the evening and are a law unto themselves without a police officer in sight.

He said the smell of marijuana hung in the air in several areas of the city centre that evening and complained of the youngsters spitting and swearing.

The letter says the gangs of young teens are "taking over the city in the evening."

It reads: "I went to the cash point at HSBC and could not help but notice the smell of joints being smoked.

"I had to meet a friend in the Quays so I thought I would walk in through the Cathedral. While walking toward Hare Lane I spotted a police car waiting to pounce on these dope smoking tearaways.

"Not a chance. One was in the car while the other one was in the chippy - getting supper no doubt. On walking through the alley between the back of varsity and the Cathedral I nearly got knocked over by three teens riding at speed down the alley.

"On getting to the Cathedral grounds I was yet again astounded by the amount of young teens hanging around the grounds. I could not help but also notice the strong smell of marijuana yet again.

"When I got across the car park of the Cathedral at the main gates there was yet another group teens sat on a step while one was trying to rap the others including girls were spitting and swearing.

"Has our city come to this - gangs of teens roaming the streets?"

Police have encouraged people to report any incidents or suspicions of ongoing criminal activity or nuisance by calling 101 or emailing 101@gloucestershire.police.uk .

A Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesman said: "We encourage members of the public to report any incidents of anti-social behaviour or suspected drug taking and, depending on the level of risk involved, will respond as soon as resources permit.

"Police officers carry out night-time patrols in Gloucester and towns across the county to provide reassurance to the public and act as a deterrent to those who may seek to cause nuisance or commit crimes, and we are always happy to speak to people and address their concerns."