A GROUP of eight youngsters have narrowly avoided ending up with criminal records after being involved in the theft of alcohol.

At the end of last week the youths were sent out litter picking near the M&S store in Mannington where the theft occured as by way of a punishment.

A spokesman for West Swindon Police said: "Although not all of the children were directly involved in stealing the items, they all attended M&S knowing that alcohol was being stolen and therefore were guilty of a conspiracy to steal.

"Staff from M&S were happy to deal with the matter by way of a community resolution and so it was agreed that their punishment would be litter picking in the local area.

"A community resolution is a way to deal with a crime informally and is usually offered as a last chance before a person ends up with a criminal record.

"It has been made clear to the youths that any further thefts they are involved in will end up with them receiving a criminal record."