FIVE teenage boys from Gosport have been charged in connection with a string of criminal damage, assault and theft offences.

The teenagers were allegedly involved in three incidents spanning across four days in the Fareham and Gosport areas.

Firstly, at around 2.30pm on March 24, a group of boys threatened to spit at a member of staff in McColl's on Hunts Pond Road, after some members of the group had allegedly been shoplifting.

Then between 4pm and 4.15pm on March 26, a group of boys allegedly smashed a glass door at the One Stop in Elson Road, Gosport, and then at around midday on March 27, a group of boys were confronted by a member of staff in the One Stop on White Hart Lane, Fareham, for alleged shoplifting. 

During this incident, it is alleged that one of the boys tried to hit the member of staff before the group smashed a glass door at the shop.

Five teenagers aged between 13 and 15 have been arrested and charged in relation to these offences, and all of which were bailed and due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court in the coming weeks.

A Hampshire Police spokesperson said: "Five teenage boys have been charged with offences relating to the Fareham and Gosport areas. The following have subsequently been arrested and charged in connection with these incidents.

"A 15-year-old boy from Gosport was charged with 3x common assault, 2x theft from a shop, 1x criminal damage, and 1x using threatening or abusive words/behaviour with intent. He was bailed to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 27 April.

"A 13-year-old boy from Gosport was charged with 2x criminal damage and 3x common assault. He was bailed to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 4 May.

"Another 15-year-old boy from Gosport was charged with 2x theft from a shop and 2x common assault. He was bailed to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 27 April.

"A 14-year-old boy from Gosport was charged with 2x theft from a shop and 2x common assault. He was bailed to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 27 April.

"Another 14-year-old boy from Gosport was charged with 2x theft from a shop, 1x criminal damage and 1x common assault. He was bailed to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 4 May."