VIOLENT and rowdy youths who think they can run riot on the streets have been warned by police bosses they could end up behind bars.

The advice comes in the wake of gang members being sentenced to more than 11 years' custody following a drink-fuelled rampage at a Yarm pizza shop.

Earlier this week, Teesside Crown Court heard how nine youths pleaded guilty to a variety of offences also relating to a vicious assault that left a student with footprint marks on his face.

The violent disturbance, which Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Peter Fox QC described as nothing short of a drunken rampage, took place at Healhaugh Park shops in January last year.

Issuing the caution Thornaby Inspector Ian Garrett said that violent behaviour would not be tolerated.

He said: "This is an area which attracts groups of youths and, with the light nights coming, it becomes a magnet for young people who think they are free to do what they like.

"The reality is they can't and the police are determined to emphasise the message that anti-social behaviour - wherever it takes place - will not be tolerated."

He added that in many cases young people thought they were not doing anything wrong and could not understand that their presence in large numbers was intimidating to older people.

Other groups, usually fuelled by drink, deliberately set out to cause trouble and damage while making life a misery for people in the community.

He said: "Sadly, there is always a group who seem determined to run riot. School holidays and the lighter nights seem to bring them onto the streets more often, but this behaviour will not be tolerated.

"We will be keeping a close eye on places where these youths tend to gather and take appropriate action.

"The group of youths who appeared before Teesside Crown Court were at the extreme end of the scale, but they found out to their cost that such behaviour can result in a long spell behind bars."

Last month Thornaby residents received a ministerial visit when Hazel Blears, Minister for Crime Reduction, talked about the new Anti Social Behaviour Act to people at a community centre.