THE family of a 16-year-old youth arrested for allegedly throwing a petrol bomb at a railway line could lose their home after police launched a major crackdown on juvenile crime.

The youth, who has been charged with affray and bailed to appear at Reedley Youth Court on February 11, may now be evicted from the Trinity area of Burnley as a result of his behaviour.

A housing association may also evict other tenants from a house in Bevington Close following a recent drugs raid.

Sgt Selway said: "It is not fair that people should be subjected to the unsocial activities of a few. It is a matter of balancing one set of rights against another."

Operation Trinity was launched in December by area community beat officer PC Adam Gordon in response to local complaints about underage drinking and unruly teenagers.

On the first weekend of the initiative 50 youngsters were reprimanded and several bottles of alcohol were seized.

Over the past few weeks dozens more young people have also been reprimanded and two have been arrested.

PC Gordon commented: "We realise just how much juvenile nuisance can affect the quality of life of people living in affected areas.

"While the problem cannot be solved by us alone we are doing everything we can to try to alleviate the problem."

PC Gordon added: "One of our main tools is the juvenile referral scheme which involves talking to the youngsters about their behaviour and making a note of their name and address.

"We do this so we can have a record of their behaviour and if they come to our attention again we can let their parents know and even consider a home visit or pursuing an acceptable behaviour contract or ant-social behaviour order further down the line."

He warned: "Juvenile nuisance and the misery it brings to local residents will not be tolerated in the Trinity area. Youngsters will have to face the consequences of their behaviour."

PC Gordon thanked the local community for their support but added: "Clearly local people have a role to play in all of this and we expect their full co-operation. This is a community problem, we must all work together if we are to find a solution."

Alcohol seized from the youngsters has been poured away.

Local councillor Carole Galbraith has welcomed the action taken. She said she was pleased with the police response to the problems experienced by local residents.