A vicious gang of up to 20 youths is extorting free food from eateries after threatening to beat up staff.

They have already attacked a pizza delivery driver, leaving him badly bruised. And staff in other restaurants are living in fear of the youths, who are known to police.

Officers are investigating after the gang assaulted an employee at Domino's Pizza, Ock Street, Abingdon, last month.

The delivery driver, who did not want to be named, was left badly bruised and the youths escaped with £50 worth of pizzas. But the driver told the Oxford Mail nothing was being done because people were too scared to stand up to the gang. He said: "These kids have threatened to beat up staff at Domino's before. They are even given free food out of fear they will attack staff.

"I know they have threatened lots of businesses around Abingdon demanding free food. Certain people give in to them to protect themselves from attack. It has got to be stopped."

Simon Wimble, of the Lemon Plaice restaurant, in Bury Street, said: "My staff are frightened to kick them out. We lose a lot of ice-cream and drinks from the fridge, but with such a big gang there is little you can do. It is more their manner that is threatening. "It even got to a stage where we had to shut the front door and let people in selectively, but when people see a group of lads outside they won't come near the place."

Insp Graham Sutherland, of Abingdon police, said: "I would like these businesses to come forward so we can address the problem. My perception is perhaps they feel intimidated by a particular crowd which is known to us and which does frequently visit our cells here in Abingdon.

"A couple from this group did cause a disturbance last week. CS spray was used and they were arrested for a public order offence."

Story date: Thursday 13 May

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