Good behaviour at the recent Chipping Sodbury Mop Fair

Local police have praised young people after Chipping Sodbury's traditional "Mop Fair".

The neighbourhood team of police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) were joined by Special Constables in patrolling the two-day event on Friday and Saturday September 24-25.

The Avon and Somerset Police website says

Sergeant Adrian Fallows said: "It was a great opportunity for us to engage with local people. It was nice to see families with young children enjoying the event alongside teenagers. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed."

As part of Operation Relentless, focusing on keeping young people safe, police checked the parks and other areas where teenagers gather and seized a small quantity of alcohol before the event. Officers also checked local off-licences and convenience stores for under-age alcohol sales, issuing one shop worker with an £80 on-the-spot fine for making a sale to an under-18.

PS Fallows said: "It was apparent that some teenagers had taken alcohol from home as we confiscated a couple of bottles of liqueur as well as lager.

"We have taken the details of the young people who had alcohol, and will be in touch with their parents. Under-age drinking can make young people more vulnerable as well as more likely to get involved in anti-social behaviour."

Police made just one arrest in the town over the two nights of the fair. A teenage girl was arrested and charged with a public order offence after abusing officers.

Officers are investigating an assault on a 16-year-old girl after the Mop Fair closed on Saturday night, at about 10.30pm.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw a group of teenagers involved in an altercation in Hounds Road near its junction with the High Street to contact South Gloucestershire CID at Staple Hill Police Station on 0845 456 7000.

Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through www.crimestoppers-uk.org. They never ask your name or trace your call.