A group of teenagers cleaned graffiti at Preston Marina after they admitted spraying paint on the swing-bridge.

The six 15-year-old boys sprayed names and initials on the bridge on Maritime Way on Saturday 2 July.

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Police officers arranged for the teens to remove the graffiti with detergent on Tuesday (12 July).

PC Hannah Grundy, Community Beat Manager for Ashton and the Docks, said: “This type of action can help offenders to understand the consequences of their actions and encourage them to make amends. It can be a very powerful tool in reducing re-offending.

“The teenagers were all remorseful of their actions and were keen to make up for it by cleaning the damage.

“This coming weekend is the Riversway festival so the removal of this graffiti is timely as lots of work has gone into getting the area ready for the festival.”

The teenagers also received youth referrals for the damage, whereby a letter was sent home to their parents.

Police are appealing for information about the whereabouts of a man who is wanted on prison recall.

Stephen Sergeant, 24, who is from Preston, was convicted of a robbery in August 2008 and was sentenced to six years in prison.

He was released from prison in May this year but has since breached the terms of his licence and is now wanted by police.

Sergeant is believed to be in either the Preston or Blackburn areas.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary said: “We are very keen to trace Stephen Sergeant and would appeal to anybody who may know of his whereabouts or has had any contact with him recently to contact police”.

Anybody with any information is asked to contact police on 08451 25 35 45 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A teenager who caused a nuisance in Penwortham has been given an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO).

Joshua Trafford, 16, of Charnock Avenue had the two-year order granted against him at South Ribble Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday 13 July).

He had been responsible for repeated anti-social behaviour on the Kingsfold estate over the past year.

Kingsfold community beat manager PC Matthew Moon said: “This teenager has had an impact on residents’ quality of life.

“We have acted on the concerns raised by residents and I hope this order will go someway in reassuring the local community that action has been taken”.

The ASBO will prevent the teenager from entering any private dwellings, garages, sheds, gardens or driveways of any property that doesn’t belong to him without the permission of the owner or tenant in an area of Penwortham.

He is banned from acting or inciting others to act in an anti-social manner that is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

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The order also states that he must not associate with Callum Mayor, 13, in a public place in an area of Penwortham, it will remain in place until 13 July 2013.

If you have concerns about drugs, you can report it to the police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Daniel Sanderson, Peter Howard

Two men have been jailed for a total of 12 years for a robbery at a Penwortham bookmakers.

Daniel Sanderson, 23, of Windgate, Much Hoole, was sentenced to six years in prison – four years for robbery and two years for possessing a firearm, which is to run consecutively.

Peter Howard, 24, formerly of Back Lane, Longton, was also given a six year custodial sentence – four years for robbery and two years for a burglary to run consecutively.

Both appeared at Preston Crown Court today (Monday 11 July) after pleading guilty to robbery when they appeared at court in June. Sanderson also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and Howard to burglary.

Det Sgt Jon Cass from South Ribble CID said: “I am pleased with the sentences given to these individuals for this frightening and shocking crime.

“Special praise must go to the members of the public who took vital details at the scene of the crime helping us to progress our investigation very swiftly. Their quick thinking must be commended”.

At around 2pm on 20 March 2011, both men went into Betfred Bookmakers on Pope Lane wearing balaclavas and Sanderson was carrying a handgun.

They threatened staff and customers with the gun and took £630 from the cashier.

Sanderson was arrested on 20 March and Howard was arrested on 21 March.

Howard was also sentenced in connection with a burglary committed in February this year at a property on Liverpool Road in Much Hoole.

If you have any information or incidents that you’d like to include, get in contact at joseph(at)blogpreston(dot)co(dot)uk and I’ll include it in the next roundup.