Madonna's son Rocco Ritchie, 16, 'hangs around with teens from a council estate and tries to get served in pubs,' neighbours reveal after his arrest for possessing cannabis 

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Madonna's troubled son Rocco hangs around with teens from a north London estate and often tries to get served underage in pubs, a source claimed today.

Rocco, whose father is director Guy Ritchie, was caught in possession of cannabis after neighbours reportedly saw him 'smoking or doing drugs' and called the police.

The 16-year-old was searched by cops after he was seen sitting on a wall with a friend in Steele's Mews North in Primrose Hill, where properties sell for up to £1.9m.

On Wednesday, someone living nearby said that Rocco has been seen in a local pub with young people from a local council estate , otherwise known as the projects, trying to get served alcohol.

Rocco Ritchie, 16, was caught with cannabis after neighbours called police on the troubled teen

The teenager and girlfriend Kim Turnbull were pictured together earlier this week socialising with Brooklyn Beckham. Rocco was arrested for possession of cannabis on September 28. He was bailed and dealt with by Camden borough's Youth Offending Team

The man, who did not wish to be named, said: 'He is a polite boy, but he hangs around with boys from an estate who are not so polite.

'Of course he smokes weed. They are young boys and we were all like that once.

'Around the time he was arrested I used to see him in the local pub. I don't think they ever served him because they know who he is and he's 16.

'Some of the boys from the local estate, they are the ones who used to scale the walls to get into the pub.

'He goes to a school nearby here for wealthy children who are maybe not as intellectual.'

Asked if Rocco ever smelt of cannabis of if he was ever seen holding a joint, the man said: 'They are young boys.'

The man added: 'Rocco is a polite boy, I wouldn't want to get him in trouble.

'With his mum in the US he must worry about getting in trouble in case he gets sent over there.'

Madonna broke her silence on the arrest of the teenager on Wednesday night.

The musician released a statement to The Associated Press on Wednesday calling the arrest 'a family matter.'

She said: 'I love my son very much. I will do whatever I can to give him the support that he needs, and I ask that you respect our privacy at this time.'

An arrest could potentially cause problems when visiting the US because British citizens are no longer eligible for automatic entry and must apply for a visa.

However, it is highly likely that Rocco has dual nationality and is a citizen of the UK - where his father is from - and his mother's native United States.

US citizens would never be denied entry and even if he holds only a British passport, it is likely that his visa application would be accepted because the crime is so minor. 

Rocco Ritchie was spotted smoking a and drinking what looks to be an alcoholic drink with friends under a bridge in central London in April 

But immediate neighbours to where the boy was arrested said they had never seen him there.

And none were shocked by Guy Ritchie's son's scandalous antics, with one saying: 'Nothing surprises me anymore.'

Sources told the Sun that Rocco was seen tossing something away as police approached him in Steeles Mews North, Camden, on September 28. 

When officers noticed traces of cannabis on his clothes they searched him and found a small quantity of the drug.

However, he will not face any further action from police. 

A police spokesman said: 'A 16-year-old youth has been arrested for possession of cannabis. 

'The arrest follows a stop and search by officers from Camden borough at around 5.15pm on Wednesday, September 28 at Steeles Mews North. 

'The youth was taken to a north London police station. He was subsequently bailed and dealt with by Camden borough's Youth Offending Team. 

'He was dealt with by way of Triage, which uses multiple strands to engage and educate young people in order to prevent re-offending.' 

Earlier this year the teenager was at the centre of a bitter custody dispute between his director father and pop icon mother.

The disagreement began in December 2015 during a falling out between Rocco and his musician mother when he abandoned her Rebel Hearts tour.

The teenage has been at the centre of a bitter custody dispute between his director father and pop icon mother

He refused to travel with Madonna and she launched legal action in the US and UK demanding custody of her son. Website TMZ claimed that Madonna thought Guy 'had poisoned her son against her' and, 'as the disciplinarian [parent], she felt guy was way too permissive

He refused to travel with his mother and she launched legal action in the US and UK demanding custody of her son.

Guy Richie's lawyers argued Rocco was settled in school in London and, in September, he won the bitter nine month battle over where their son should live.

The Sherlock Holmes director reached a settlement with the pop star hours before they were due in court in New York and it was agreed the teenager would continue to live in London.   

Website TMZ claimed that Madonna thought Guy 'had poisoned her son against her' and, 'as the disciplinarian [parent], she felt guy was way too permissive'.

The terms of the custody agreement remain confidential, but it is understood Rocco is schooled in London, with regular visits from his mother. 

The recent arrest was made near his home in Primrose Hill, but a number of neighbours told MailOnline they had never even seen him in the area.

One man, who didn't wish to be named, said: 'I am often in the South of France, so I'm not always here to be honest.

'I know of Rocco, I know who he is, but I haven't seen him here. I'm surprised he is meant to have been hanging around here.

'I haven't heard anyone speak about it at all. I haven't seen any young teenagers hang around here or sit on any wall.

'There aren't a whole load of young people who live here. There's a guy in his twenties, a chartered surveyor, but he just seems young because the last couple in that property were in their eighties.'

Another resident, who also didn't wish to be named, said: 'I haven't ever seen this boy, nor has my wife. Young people don't tend to hang around here.'

Reacting to the news, he added: 'Nothing surprises me.'

Another neighbour said: 'I usually don't get back til 8pm. I've never seen him or any teenagers sitting on that wall.

'It's not a real surprise that Guy Ritchie's son would be in the area, a lot of wealthy people live around here.'