ALMOST 300,000 shoppers a week are visiting Grimsby's Freshney Place shopping centre in the run-up to Christmas.
And its director, Amanda Austin, says that figure is likely to rise to 400,000 as Christmas gets closer.
Mrs Austin was speaking following the second night of late night shopping in the town centre on Thursday – when police had to be called to an "isolated" incident in Victoria Street West, outside Freshney Place itself.
It is reported that a female member of staff at Greggs bakery was assaulted by a boy.
A police spokesperson confirmed that officers attended the area for disorder at late night shopping, which involved one person being dealt with by means of community resolution.
Greggs were unavailable for comment, but a member of staff confirmed the female worker was fine.
Mrs Austin said: "We provide an enjoyable experience at Freshney Place Shopping Centre and work with our retailers in partnership with Humberside Police and local youth services to ensure a pleasant environment for our shoppers. We understand that this isolated incident took place in Victoria Street and can confirm it did not involve the shopping centre."
Eyewitness Gary Calder, who is part of North East Lincolnshire Council's Business Against Crime team, attended the shop, where he found the woman in a "distressed" manner.
He has called on parents to take a greater interest in where their children are and what they are doing in the evenings.
He said: "The girl is okay now but she was visibly distressed when I found her. She won't be working late-night shopping again.
"Most of the parents of the children involved were probably sitting at home and had no idea what their kids were getting up to.
"Where were your children at the time? Is this what we really want in our town? We are all responsible for the type of society we have.
"Do we want the stretched police force tied up at great cost to every taxpayer on a couple of spoiled brats?
"It's intolerable that shop staff going about their lawful business should have to put up with this behaviour in and outside their premises. Would you want your children or partners trying to earn a living being subject to this?"
Mr Calder added that a large crowd of youths were milling around McDonald's and down Victoria Street, where they were "crowding" police.
"Not all in the crowd were belligerent," he said. "But they remained part of the pressing throng.
"A persistent theme was a refusal to go away, which impeded officers going about their lawful duty and caused distress to others nearby.
"Only when the dog handler arrived did the situation really change. I made sure the young girl left safely with parents but she was still distressed and her young sister was visibly upset as she witnessed events whilst she waited with her parents outside."
Follow us on Facebook and TwitterVIEW PICTURE GALLERIES www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/pictures
