Unruly youngsters sign up to improve their behaviour

The young people, who can not be named for legal reasons, signed the Acceptable Behaviour Contracts yesterday.

The contracts, which are not legally binding, were introduced under the Crime and Disorder Act, as the first step to stop anti-social behaviour in the community.

They are signed by the young people, who must promise to behave for a set period of time, and then counter-signed by the police and a council housing representative.

PC Shelley Watson, from Hartlepool's Community Safety Department, said: "This is another way that the police and local authority can address the problems we have with these youngsters, whose behaviour is causing problems for those who live near to them.

"It's made quite clear at the time they sign up to the agreement that unless they improve the way they have been behaving, we can take more serious action against them and take them to court."

PC Watson stressed that the contracts ensured the youngsters were held responsible for their own actions, and they were asked what they thought should be included in their behaviour contract.

She said: "We discuss the behaviour with the child. It can be anything from name-calling to stone-throwing, and we ask if they can stop doing it for a certain period.

"It is up to them what goes on to the contracts in agreement with us. They become responsible and very grown-up about it.

"We want the kids to be responsible, in agreement with the police and local authority, about their future behaviour."

The contracts can be used for youngsters between the ages of ten and 18 and if they fail to keep their promise, they could face more serious consequences, such as Anti Social Behaviour Orders (Asbo) at court.

Asbos can legally restrict young people's actions as well as the places they can go.

If they break the order they can face fines or harsher punishments. Their parents can also be ordered to attend parenting classes to learn how to control their children.