POLICE are to increase patrols in Thornaby in an effort to crackdown on yobs.

Patrols will be targeting Saltburn Road, Loftus Road, Eston Close and Scalby Square, where nuisance behaviour and vandalism is rife.

Inspector Ian Coates, head of policing in the town, said: "We have been working in conjunction with the Anti-Social Behaviour team in Stockton Council to draw up Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) to ensure those committing these offences are dealt with.

"Other youths identified as being the vicinity at the time of the offences will have letters sent home to their parents.

"So the message to any parents of youths who frequent the area is that if they don't want their children to be involved in ABCs, or Anti-Social Behaviour Orders being served on them, they should encourage them to steer clear of the areas."