A CRACKDOWN on teenage tearaways in Brunshaw by local Community Beat Manager Faizal Mahmed has won acclaim from local residents.

PC Mahmed started his initiative shortly after he was made Community Beat Manager for Brunshaw at the beginning of this year.

It has involved extra juvenile nuisance patrols in hot spot across the area as well as the confiscation of alcohol from youths.

So far, the drive has resulted in almost 70 youngsters being ordered to curb their behaviour. Of those, 56 have been given warnings in the form of youth referral forms; 15 youngsters have had to sign Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) and promise not to misbehave; and two people have become the subject of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs), which impose strict rules on the youngsters to keep them in check. Another two ASBOs are being lined up against local louts.

PC Mahmed said: "Anti-social behaviour is a significant problem in the Brunshaw area. Some of the youths' activities are fuelled by alcohol, others by boredom and some by sheer mischievousness.

"While I don't think we can ever eradicate the problem completely we have made good inroads and we've had some excellent feedback from members of the public who appear pleased with the increased activity."

As well as receiving individual letters of praise, PC Mahmed has also won the support of Brunshaw Action Group, the local residents' association.

Action group chairman Michael Bailey said: "PC Mahmed is making a big difference and working very hard to cut down juvenile nuisance and crime levels in this area to help make Brunshaw community a safe and vibrant place to live."

Last month the action group received a grant of more than £4,500 from the National Lottery as part of its bid to crack down on youth nuisance.

The group used the cash to buy photographic equipment, including ten digital cameras, two night scope video cameras and 50 disposable cameras for the residents and young people who use the group's community centre, in Brunshaw Avenue.

Brunshaw Action Group was set up in September 2000 to cut down juvenile nuisance and crime in Brunshaw by offering activities for young people. It also organises activities that bring members of the community of all ages together.

It has expanded its work to cover five other areas in Burnley and currently has more than 7,390 people using its community centre.