YOUNG tearaways who run riot in Rossendale were today warned to behave, after a specially trained officer was appointed to deal with anti social behaviour and tackle the problem of juvenile nuisance in the area.

PC Paul Wood has been seconded from Lancashire Police to work alongside Rossendale Council's community safety officer Trish Ellins, until November.

PC Wood will be responsible for the administration of any Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) taken out by the police and the monitoring of individuals subject to the orders.

He said: "Tackling anti social behaviour through the provisions laid out in the Crime and Disorder Act is at the forefront of government thinking and I will be predominantly focusing on those aged from 12 to 17.

"But it can and will be applied to adults who are causing a nuisance in the Valley, when I will support the police and authority in bringing prosecutions and ASBOs."

PC Wood is no stranger to the Rossendale after living in the Valley for more than 18 years. He has more recently moved to Chorley with his family.

His return was today welcomed by a town centre newsagent, who has been blighted by trouble in recent years.

Carmel Coaker, owner of Bacup News, in St James Street, for the past five years, said she has been ready on a number of occasions to sell the shop.

She said: "The number of times we have been targeted by vandals doesn't bear thinking about. We have been burgled six times, I have had my car so badly vandalised that it had to be written-off and just last night my husband ,Frank, had the wing mirror torn off his car by a gang of young yobs.

"I have thought long and hard about my future at the shop, but I really care about Bacup, even though I wasn't born here. I have spent the past 20 years of my life here and don't like it when people call the town because 95 per cent of the people living here are good decent people. But it's the minority, mainly youths who have to spoil it."

Inspector Dave Shepherd said: "It's great that we have Paul, who is our point of contact in relation to ASBOs. We have regular meetings to keep up to date with what's going on in the valley."

Mrs Coaker who said she is looking forward to meeting PC Wood and seeing the results of his presence, added: "Some of the police officers round here work their guts out and that's what will have to happen for this to work.

"I am no press officer for the force, but some of them work really hard and they spend weeks and months building up a file to present to the courts about individuals and then the CPS throw it all out, so I hope Paul's presence will help make life easier for everyone."