Cornwall Police Tackle Youth Pranks in CPR Towns
The Disturbance in Our CPR Neighbourhoods
Our historic tri-town area of Camborne, Pool, and Redruth has always prided itself on its deep-rooted community spirit and safety. However, a recent wave of anti-social behaviour has left many local residents feeling deeply unsettled in their own homes. Police have reported a sharp rise in incidents of youths ‘cherry knocking’—the practice of kicking garden gates, pounding on front doors, and fleeing before homeowners can answer. While older generations may have once viewed this as a minor prank, the reality on our local streets is far more serious today. In tight-knit residential estates across Pool and Camborne, where many elderly and vulnerable neighbours live, these sudden, loud disturbances are causing genuine distress. Local landmarks like our historic mining parks and community centres should be spaces for positive recreation, but instead, small groups of teenagers are bringing anxiety directly to our doorsteps. For those living alone, the sound of a kicked wooden gate in the dark isn’t a joke; it feels like an immediate, intimidating threat to their personal safety and sanctuary.
The Impact on Vulnerable Residents and Local Action
Local officers from the Camborne, Pool and Redruth neighbourhood policing team have spoken out, urging parents, teachers, and guardians to intervene before these actions escalate. While Cornwall is globally famous for its relaxed lifestyle—drawing thousands who go to Newquay to enjoy Fistral Beach or relax in dog friendly accommodation—the reality for inland residents can be very different. The local community groups and neighbourhood watch teams in the CPR area are actively working alongside police to address these disturbances. Officers have warned that what young people consider a simple prank is legally classified as anti-social behaviour, which can lead to formal interventions and a criminal record. Local business owners and residents living near popular thoroughfares have also reported increased anxiety, fearing that gate-kicking could soon transition into property damage. It is a critical reminder that community safety relies on collective responsibility, and our local school leaders are being asked to host assemblies addressing respect for older neighbours.
What We Can Do Together: Reporting and Next Steps
So, what can we do as a community to protect our streets and reassure our vulnerable neighbours? Camborne, Pool and Redruth Police are asking anyone with smart doorbells, home CCTV systems, or dashcam footage to check their devices if they experience or witness this behaviour. Gathering clear descriptions or video evidence is crucial for helping officers identify those responsible. If you have non-urgent information, you are urged to report it by calling 101 or using the online reporting form on the Devon and Cornwall Police website. However, if you or a neighbour ever feel actively threatened, intimidated, or in immediate danger, do not hesitate to dial 999. In the coming weeks, residents can expect to see an increased police presence, with foot patrols stepped up in known hotspots. By looking out for the elderly couple next door, sharing helpful information on local community watch forums, and speaking honestly with our own children, we can restore the peace and security that our Cornwall towns deserve.
Source: Residents ‘intimidated’ as youths cherry knock doors
