THREE teenagers responsible for almost 90 offences including theft, burglary and assault in an 18-month reign of terror have been subjected to a widespread ban.

The case against the trio from Haslingden represents the first time anti-social behaviour orders have been imposed in Rossendale and the first time Lancashire Constabulary has pursued orders against three individuals at the same time.

Stephen Derbyshire, 15, of Maple Avenue; Jordan Carl Pilkington, 17, of Greenfield Street; and Philip Richard Sourbutts, of West View, all of Haslingden, are now subject to seven-point prohibition notices for five years.

They were issued by chairman of the bench at Burnley Magistrates Court Brian Chaddock.

Community beat officer PC Gordon McGeechan, who compiled a dossier of evidence, said he was personally delighted by the outcome of the case.

He added: "People in Haslingden are sick and tired of being intimidated by these three and their associates.

"I was getting feedback from members of the public, the health centre and local shopkeepers who knew who the defendants were and other police officers who have also reported their behaviour.

"We hope that the people of Haslingden feel safe and reassured by the implementation of these orders.

"They can still break them, but if they do, we have the powers of arrest and we will put them back before the courts."

PC McGeechan received praise from Mr Chaddock for the work he put into compiling the evidence in the case.

The three are now banned from entering Haslingden town centre between 6pm and 6am except for employment reasons.

They are forbidden from entering the grounds of Haslingden High School and prohibited from drinking alcohol, being drunk in a public place and taking illegal drugs.

The orders also ban the three from causing alarm, harassment and distress to any person while they must not associate with or be in the company of each other or a 14-year-old boy from Haslingden who was named in court.

They also prohibit all three from associating in a group of more than four on highways, by-ways and footpaths in the Haslingden area.

If they breach the order, they can be prosecuted and face a maximum of two years' imprisonment.

PC McGeechan said: "I am personally delighted. It was a lot of hard work but it was a small price to pay to go towards preventing these three and other youths from committing similar behaviour.

"Between then they have been involved in 89 separate incidents including causing a nuisance to members of the public from criminal behaviour and criminal damage, burglaries, assaults, public order and thefts.

"The incidents listed started from March 29, 2000, but they had been issued with cautions before that date.

"If any of these youths is seen in the area doing anything prohibited, the public must report it to the police immediately.

"The co-operation of the public is paramount in preventing these youths from reoffending and breaking any prohibition criteria that have been implemented."