PARENTS of more than 20 teenagers have been sent letters about their youngsters' behaviour following rowdy incidents in Trimley St Mary.In the most recent incident, four police cars and an ambulance were called after a fight broke out over a mobile phone on the green on the Farmlands estate.

PARENTS of more than 20 teenagers have been sent letters about their youngsters' behaviour following rowdy incidents in Trimley St Mary.

In the most recent incident, four police cars and an ambulance were called after a fight broke out over a mobile phone on the green on the Farmlands estate.

Nearly two dozen teenagers were caught up in the brawl, which was dispersed and dealt with swiftly by police.

One person was arrested and released, and no complaint of assault was made.

Beat officers in the village though have been concerned about the gatherings near the parade of shops in Faulkeners Way and are working hard to sort out the problems so they do not escalate.

In the past youngsters have been accused of vandalism, rowdy behaviour, shouting and swearing, and under-age drinking.

Pc Jim Kerr and Pc Dave Gledhill have been making regular patrols of the area, speaking to the youngsters and moving them on.

Pc Kerr said: "What we are trying to do is nip this in the bud.

"We are not saying all teenagers are bad – and only a minority ever cause a problem at all. But some parents don't seem to think it's a problem to let their children out and give them a can of beer.

"But they don't appreciate that can make them lose their inhibitions and turn a nice placid teenager into a nightmare.

"People can feel intimidated by their presence and are worried by them."

He told Trimley St Mary Parish Council that 20 letters had been sent to parents about their children. If those children were seen causing a nuisance again, the parents would be visited by the beat officers.

A number of the youngsters were local, but many came from as far as Old Felixstowe, using the green and shops as a gathering point.

"A letter is usually enough and these youngsters do not come to our notice again, although there is always a core element who think 'we will do what we want and you are not going to stop us'," said Pc Kerr.

Youngsters have said that all they want is somewhere to meet – but they do not want a supervised youth club. They have asked the parish council to consider a teen shelter, but the idea has proved too expensive.

A committee – including beat officers, youth workers, young people and councillors – is looking at problems in the whole of the Felixstowe area and considering different ideas to keep them off the streets.