THREE Stockton youths could become the first in the borough to feel the effects of tough behaviour rules.

Cleveland police, backed by the local council, have asked magistrates for anti-social behaviour orders to be imposed on the three, who have been terrorising residents on a Stockton estate.

If successful, the orders will see tough curbs put on the youths. Their parents could also be asked to attend sessions on how to control their children.

The youths will be prevented from entering certain areas within the estate where they live or behaving in a certain way. All live in the Hardwick area.

The youngest, aged 11, would be one of the youngest in the country to be subject to such an order. The other two are both 14.

Insp Mick Walters, of Stockton police, said: "These youths have made the lives of Hardwick people a misery. They have been indulging in a catalogue of hooliganism for some time and hopefully these orders will stop the intimidation and harassment local people have had to put up with."

Jan Van Wagtendonk, the council's principal manager (children and families) said: "These orders will help the police and the council support those living in the community to oppose anti-social behaviour. It will also help prevent young people becoming involved in crime and a criminal sub-culture.

"This is the first time an Anti-social behaviour order has been applied for in this area. These orders are a new chance for police, local authority and residents to work together to deal with those causing problems in the community."

The magistrates will also be invited to issue a parenting order.

This will direct parents to attend education and support sessions to help them parent their children more effectively. Sessions would be weekly for 12 weeks at the most.

A support project is already up and running, funded by the youth offending team and the youth justicebBoard.

Mr Tony Hodgson of the youth offending team said: "This Act empowers the community in taking action against those who behave in an anti-social manner. The community can monitor the youths' actions and report to the authorities if they continue to act in the same way.

"This is a last-ditch bid to divert young people from crime. Of course, any breach of the order would mean reverting to criminal law to impose tougher penalties."