A RADICAL plan to stamp out anti-social behaviour in Langbaurgh is to be launched.

The Acceptable Behaviour Campaign has been spearheaded by Cleveland Police and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, along with a host of other agencies. It aims to stop would-be trouble makers in their tracks before they become a real nuisance to their communities.

The scheme will identify and confront the youngsters who are a cause for concern - and ensure parents take more responsibility for the actions of their children.

Throughout the Langbaurgh district more than 11,000 incidents have been for anti-social, nuisance or sub-criminal behaviour. This is almost one quarter of the calls handled by the police.

The operation will start with a letter being sent to the family home of troublemaking youngsters with a warning about their behaviour. If trouble continues within six months, a second letter will be delivered by a police officer outlining the possible repercussions that could follow.

And if misbehaving continues, a conference between all the agencies will take place to decide on a further course of action. This could include eviction, school expulsion, anti-social behaviour orders and parenting orders.

Chief Superintendant John Kelly, District Commander at Langbaurgh, said: "Young people generally behave responsibly, however, those who persist with irresponsible behaviour need to be dealt with firmly. The softly softly approach is not working.

"By working together in partnership with other agencies we hope to greatly increase our effectiveness in dealing with hooligans. We will have a co-ordinated and tenacious drive against anti-social behaviour that will improve the quality of life for residents."