Police have told parents to "take responsibility for your children" after officers were surrounded by 100 teenagers, with some throwing bricks and letting off fireworks.

A Police Community Support Officer was punched in the face during the fracas in Stanley, County Durham.

Body camera footage shows uniformed officers being quickly surrounded after responding to a report of a "vulnerable female" at the bus station.

An officer is heard saying "we are asking people nicely to move away" before tensions rise and the teenagers are told to "move back now".

Officers remonstrate with the youths, at least one of whom appears to be throwing punches.


Image: About 100 young people were in the area at the time

Sergeant Emma Kay said there was a "hardcore group of around 20 people who threw bricks, fireworks, and attacked my officers" on Saturday 3 November.

Action will be taken against "all the individuals involved", she added.

She is asking parents to sign up to a text message service which will alert parents when there is trouble in the town centre.

They will be told to collect their kids and take them home.

Sergeant Kay said: "Disorder of this kind is totally unacceptable and violence against our officers will not be tolerated.

"Parents were asked to come and review the footage from the officers' body cams that night and they all agreed the behaviour of the children was appalling.

"We are asking for parents to step up to the plate, take responsibility for your children.

"Do you know where they are, or are they going to bring trouble to your door?"