EAST Lancashire police forces and councils today promised to use new anti-social behaviour laws to tackle street gangs and teenage tearaways.

The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, which became law yesterday, has a wide range of measures to give local councils, police, environmental health officers and housing officers the tools they need to stop nuisance behaviour.

Crucial new measures include new police powers to disperse groups of people who have gathered in an area designated an anti-social hotspot by the local council.

Newspapers and local councils will be able to name tearaways convicted and punished with an anti-social behaviour order.

And there are new restrictions on air weapons, raising the age for legal possession from 14 to 17.

Other measures include stopping cyclists riding on the pavement.

Later in the year, security guards and Community Support Officers will get further powers under the same Act.

A range of on-the-spot fines are to be extended from adults to 16 and 17-year-olds for offences such as throwing fireworks and making hoax 999 calls.

And the Home Secretary will be able to extend fines in future to children as young as 10.

Councillor Andy Kay, chairman of the Community Safety Partnership for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We will look into how we can use these powers, as appropriate, on a case by case basis."

Regarding the possession of air weapons in public places Superintendent Clive Tattum, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: "In the past, laws covering air weapons and imitation firearms have had little or no effect in curbing the anti-social behaviour often associated with their use and possession. This new legislation will change that." The new law makes it illegal to manufacture, sell, purchase, transfer, or acquire any air weapon that uses a self-contained gas cartridge system. Current owners will have to obtain a £50 firearm certificate from the police.

A Burnley Council spokesman said: "We will continue to work with our partners in the Community Safety Partnership and local residents to tackle unacceptable behaviour"