TINY troublemakers as young as five are being targeted in a ground-breaking scheme to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

A new panel -- called Group Intervention Panel (Grip) -- has been set up to refer children and their families to social services, police, education and health bodies for help.

Lancashire's youth offending team aims to divert youngsters aged between five and 13 away from crime and anti-social behaviour.

The move is timely after police last week revealed that 12 of their 20 most prolific criminals in the Eastern Division, covering Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, were teenagers.

Catherine Witt, county youth justice manager for Lancashire youth offending team, said: "I think this is a really exciting project.

"For the first time agencies will be working together to prevent children and young people going on to cause nuisance and harm in their communities.

"I am certain that it will make a real difference. "

Six panels, each covering a different area of Lancashire, will produce an action plan so the children understand why their behaviour is of concern, its impact on victims and the consequences if they do not change.

They will also try to ensure that the different agencies are working effectively to give this help.

County Coun Dr Ruth Henig, chair of the Lancashire Police Authority, said: "This is a ground-breaking initiative which involves a wide range of organisations to work with children at risk.

"It will play a major part in helping to divert youngsters from crime and anti-social behaviour."

Grip will be launched in Burnley and Pendle tomorrow. Hyndburn, Ribble Valley and Rossendale's is launched a week later. Grip will be funded by the government's Children's Fund and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.