PARENTS have received a warning to take control of their wayward youngsters or the police will step in.

About 20 Stockton families received letters from Cleveland Police in the run-up to Christmas.

Their teenagers were among 100 vandals caught last week drinking alcohol, smashing bottles and destroying flower beds in Ropner Park, Stockton, which has been identified for a £3.5m revamp next year.

The letters told parents that if their children came to the attention of the police again, the parents would have to sign contracts guaranteeing their youngsters' future good behaviour.

Sergeant Colin Whitfield, of Cleveland Police, said: "Acceptable behaviour contracts will set limits on what their children can do and where they can go.

"Ropner Park has been described as the jewel in Stockton's crown, and we want it to be a place where families and young people can enjoy in an appropriate way, and this was not appropriate behaviour.''

Police are convinced that last Friday's gathering in the park had been arranged, because the 14 to 16-year-olds who took part were from all over the town.

The teenagers took over the children's play area and the vandalism they caused threatened to ruin a weekend carol service held by the Friends of Ropner Park.

Residents used brushes and shovels to clear up the mess as best they could.

Craig Adamson, chairman of the Friends, said: "Although it's disappointing this goes on, we were not going to let it put the event at risk.

"I know that people say youngsters have nothing to do. We are trying to do the best we can in identifying what can be done, but at the end of the day, it is down to the parents."