Police are warning residents of a Suffolk town about an increase in anti-social behaviour, including a craze driven by social media site TikTok involving youngsters kicking doors in tune to music. 

Homes in Haverhill have received the letter detailing a rise in anti-social behaviour over the last couple of months, including reports of stone throwing, criminal damage to property, kicking and knocking on doors and running away and intimidation of vulnerable people. 

Reports have also described how local youths have been inspired by the video sharing site TikTok to knock on or kick residents’ doors and run away. 

The police have pledged to crackdown on the incidents, while encouraging parents to be aware of where their children are and to have conversations about their behaviour, while warning them of the consequences if they are caught engaging in anti-social behaviour. 

The letter, shared on social media site Facebook, also pledges to increase police patrols in ‘hot spot’ areas in an effort to reduce the number of incidents and ensure that people of all ages enjoy what ‘our’ community has to offer. 

A spokesperson for Suffolk Police said: “The letter was sent after an increase in Haverhill of what officers believe to be youth related anti-social behaviour over the last couple of weeks.   

“Police are keen to get the support and engagement of the local community in tackling the issue at an early stage. There will be an increase in police patrols and visibility in problem areas by way of a deterrent.” 

In September, the last month for which figures are available, there were 32 reports of anti-social behaviour in the town out of a total of 280 offences. 

In August, there were 34 anti-social behaviour incidents out of a total of 315 offences.