SOUTH WOODFORD is a dangerous place to be at night, a group of youngsters have been told by police.

Officers also declared certain areas "out of bounds" to the frightened teenagers, who had just witnessed a horrible violent attack.

The alarming comments were made to a group of youngsters who were set upon after enjoying a night at South Woodford's Odeon Cinema on Saturday and come as Redbridge police crime figures show a sharp increase in street crime.

The group of 15 and 16-year-old friends came out of the cinema at around 9.30pm and headed off down Chigwell Road where they hoped to catch the 179 bus to take them back to a friend's house in Gants Hill.

However, on seeing the large group, a 179 bus driver reportedly drove past the stop.

The group then continued walking down Chigwell Road where they were pursued by a gang of around six youths.

Chased by the pack of teenagers two of the group were set upon while the rest managed to escape a beating by hiding in a newsagents where the owner called the police.

Even though two police officers arrived within ten minutes the gang had fled.

Speaking to the Guardian on Monday, the mother of one of the girls, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "The officers told my daughter and her friends that South Woodford is a dangerous place. They also said thatsome places had become out of bounds."

The woman claimed that the group was also told by the officers that if the offenders were caught they could not guarantee their safety.

"What sort of message does it send to kids when the police say they cannot guarantee their safety?" the mother added.

However, Acting Borough Commander Bryan Horsley said no place in Redbridge was a no-go area.

He added that people should always take precautions but said: "I would never tell anybody of any age that you can't walk in South Woodford. It's not the crime centre of London.

"As a police service, one thing we encourage people to do is come forward, and we will support them 100 per cent. There are things that can be done to ensure their safety such as objecting to bail, so no, it's not the message we put out."