A TEENAGE girl who brought misery to residents and shopkeepers has been ordered to behave -- or go to jail.

Rachael Louise Linford, 16, was named and shamed after bringing terror to people in Clitheroe over a two-year period.

Police today welcomed the Anti Social Behaviour Order imposed by magistrates and urged the public to report the girl if she is seen causing a nuisance.

Inspector Bob Ford said: "The police and the local authority will work closely together to make sure this order is effective and I hope the people of the Ribble Valley will be able to help us by reporting any breaches.

"We are tackling the problem of juvenile nuisance and the clear message, on behalf of the community, is that we are not prepared to tolerate it.

"We have taken action in this case and will take action in others. We believe this order will help protect the public from someone who is a nuisance and who has caused untold misery and inconvenience for individuals and businesses alike.

"The terms of the order are wide reaching and any breach is an arrestable offence."

Linford, of Hodder Grove, Clitheroe, agreed through her solicitor Stephen Barker, to the ASBO.

It states that for the next two years she must not:

* Enter any public or private place from which she has been excluded in writing

* Remain in any public or private premises in the Ribble Valley after being asked to leave by the occupier or owner

* Consume or be in possession of intoxicant in a public place

* Cause distress or harassment to any person in the borough

Diane Rice, presenting the application on behalf of Ribble Valley Borough Council and the police, said that there had been numerous complaints involving Linford late in 2001 and in 2002.

She said Linford had been subject to a curfew and electronic tagging but when it ended the problems returned.

Mrs Rice said: "Since mid-March she has come to the attention of the police with regards to theft, assault, intimidation and an incident when she threw something at a person riding a moped in Chatburn Road."

Mr Barker, defending, said Linford was receiving help from professional agencies and had made considerable progress.

He said she was working part-time at Lords House Farm riding for the disabled establishment in Rishton and would be taking up a full-time student placement there in September. Mr Barker said 'naming and shaming' would have a detrimental effect on her future employment.

Opposing the restriction Mrs Rice added: "There comes a point when the consequences of the behaviour have to be brought home to her and we feel naming her might support the order."

Mrs Rice said 23 individuals had complained about Linford's behaviour and there had been a considerable number of complaints of harassment, damage and assault.

Inspector Ford said there was no question of a vendetta against Linford and said any complaint against her would be fully investigated.

"There are safeguards in place to ensure no one uses this order to for the wrong reasons," he said.

He went on to say Linford had been a nuisance in Clitheroe supermarkets, especially Tesco in Duck Street and Kwik Save in Station Road. She had been banned from the two stores for being a persistent nuisance, including being drunk and disorderly.

Insp Ford said: "Her behaviour included being drunk and disorderly, abusive towards customers and staff, and sheltering in foyers."

A resident of the Henthorn area of Clitheroe, who did not wish to be named, said: "Residents have had to put up with hell from this girl and we will all breath a little more easily now. She has been trouble for a long time and I'm not surprised this order has been placed on her.

"Now at least we will all know if she steps out of line and how to take action. We have had enough."