NORTH-EAST troublemakers under the age of 16 will be marched home by police under a new scheme.

Officers in Loftus, east Cleveland, say gangs gathering on the streets to cause harassment, alarm and intimidation will be moved on

Young people who do not live in the area may be asked to leave and told not return within a specific time scale.

The new powers, given to police over the next month in Loftus, near Saltburn, may be extended to other areas if they prove a success.

Those young people refusing to comply with the police instructions may be arrested.

Leaflets explaining the operation will be circulated in the area, and police will be speaking to people in the local communities, explaining what will be happening.

Police say residents have already been involved in the planning of the operation.

Inspector Kevin Scott, who is leading the initiative, which will run until November 8, said: "We are putting people first. Community concerns have sparked this operation because of the high levels of anti-social behaviour.

"I am determined that such behaviour will be drastically reduced.

"Let it be clear that law-abiding youths have nothing to fear from this order. My officers will act in a sensible manner, using this additional power only when necessary."

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's anti-social behaviour co-ordinator, Graham Watson, said: "We will monitor its success and may well take it as a model for other parts of the borough."