DRUNKEN youths forced harassed convenience store staff to shut up shop.

A gang of yobs descended on One Stop Shop in Upton on Monday evening and reports were received of a door being kicked in nearby Aldford Road and of trouble-makers at the Somerfield store in Newton on the same night.

Police are not sure whether the incidents are linked.

The most serious occur-rence happened at the One Stop Shop, Weston Grove, at about 7.30pm, when a group of six teenagers turned up at the store.

Three of them entered the shop and demanded to be served alcohol but were refused, due to their age.

Staff said they became aggressive, pushing down shelves and being verbally abusive.

Staff alerted police before pulling down the shutters and temporarily closing the store. A passerby also reported the disturbance on seeing the youths banging on the shutters.

Police attended to take statements from the staff but the youths had already left.

Shortly before the One Stop Shop incident, at about 7.10pm, police were called to nearby Aldford Road after a group of youths were said to have been kicking at a door.

And at 6.20pm, there were reports of youths tearing down banners at the front of the Somerfield store, Dicksons Drive, Newton. Again the youths had run off by the time police arrived.

Police spokeswoman Anna Galloway said there were no descriptions of the individuals concerned.

Anyone with information can call police on 0845 458 0000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.