YOUTHS causing trouble in Darwen will be targeted during a summer crackdown on juvenile nuisance and under-age drinking.

Officers in the town will monitor the behaviour of young people over a three-month period, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Any youngster found drinking alcohol will have it confiscated and juvenile referral forms will be sent to their parents.

Civic leaders and police have already claimed juvenile nuisance in the town is decreasing because of a series of initiatives.

Patrols dealing with under-age drinking during the past month have confiscated a huge haul of alcohol from teenagers but officers said Operation Eradicate will crack down even more heavily. PC Shelley Baines said: "We will be out there every Friday and Saturday and will especially be covering the holiday period when it gets worse.

"We will target areas in Darwen that have the worst juvenile nuisance problems or crimes relating to juvenile nuisance.

"Officers, Police Community Support Officers and special constables will carry out plain-clothes and uniformed targeting in those areas."

The area's Youth Offending Team, Friends of Bold Venture Park and Whitehall Park, WG Securities - who deal with the local schools - and trading standards will also be involved in the operation. Problem-orientated policing co-ordinator Sgt Anne Scott said: "This is aimed at tackling juvenile nuisance in the predominant problem areas such as Bold Venture and Whitehall parks and the schools.

"A lot of the problems and silly behaviour are fuelled by under-age drinking.

"Residents have experienced damage to cars and property and schools have had damage to windows which gets worse during the holidays.

"We are aiming to reassure the community where the gatherings are having an impact on the quality of life.

"We also want parents to stop and think where their children are and help provide them with other activities."