POLICE are using a novel tactic to deal with troublesome teenagers in Eastwood thought to be at risk of getting involved in crime.

So far, 30 youngsters have been referred to the Youth Offending Service for sessions which examine and tackle their yobbish behaviour.

The move comes after persistent problems in and around Eastwood Park, where gangs often gather in the evenings.

Toilets have been repeatedly vandalised, small fires started, and laser pens shone into peoples’ eyes.

There have also been examples of underage drinking and cannabis smoking.

Insp Brad Dickel, of Leigh police, said the referrals aimed to “get to young people who are on the cusp of committing offences”.

He explained: “The aim is to reduce offending by early intervention. And education is key.

“If you speak to the parents, half the time they are not aware of what their children are doing, or who they are hanging around with. Some of them are horrified when they hear why Little Johnny’s been stopped.

“It’s puts the onus on parents to take responsibility for what their children have been doing.”

Mr Dickel stressed if youngsters were found to have committed crimes, they would still face action.

However, in cases involving what police term low-level antisocial behaviour, the Youth Offending Service was being called in.

Such intervention also involves parents, in an effort to stop children getting drawn into crime.

The the sessions deal with concerns about drugs or bereavement, and can refer youngsters on to other agencies better equipped to help.

Youngsters get three warnings: l A letter home raising concerns with parents l A home visit l Finally an antisocial behaviour contract, giving the youngster a last chance to toe the line.

Under in contracts, youngsters agree to obey certain rules, tailored to curb bad behaviour, such as being home by 10pm.

If they breach them their families, if they are council tenants could even face eviction.

Eastwood-based Sgt Tracey Butt cited an example where the strategy might be used. She said: “With the three boys I stopped on Saturday night, one had thrown a child’s scooter over a hedge. All three stank of cannabis.

“They were searched, but no drugs were found, but we could see one of them had been heavily smoking because his pupils were heavily dilated and because of his behaviour.

“This is one of the things we can use if we know they are up to no good, or being silly.”

l In the past two years, police in Eastwood police have pursued three evictions in cases of antisocial behaviour.

Two families agreed to comply with tough conditions prior to a court hearing at which they might have been moved out.

A third resulted in a young woman being evicted from her home in Rochford Road, in the Autumn 2010.

She was pursued because she hosted loud parties, involving groups of young people.

FED-UP residents living near Eastwood Park have welcomed the new approach to tackling problem teens.

John Mahoney, 61, of Pinewood Avenue, Eastwood, regularly walks his dog Daphne there.

He said: “I think the youth offending team idea is a great one. Anything they can to do prevent trouble is good. A lot of money has been spent on this park and all they seem to do is want to wreck it.”

Michelle Seal, 42, a mother-of-three who lives in Park Avenue, Eastwood, said: “I think it would help if someone could sit the down and talk to them. But I think as a community, we should all be dealing with it, not just the police. People should talk to their children.”

However, she believed the main problem was with young adults, tearing about in their cars after dark. She has suggested locking the park gates at night to keep youngsters out, and action to prevent late-night drinking.