A TEENAGER has been served with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order, which police said would protect the public from 'violent attacks.'

Rocky Johnstone, 17, was handed the order by Hyndburn Magistrates after a catalogue of incidents, which led police to call him 'a thorn in their sides.'

The court heard that on various dates since April 1999, the teenager committed various acts of violence, theft, criminal damage, drink and disorderly behaviour and threatening behaviour.

The conditions of the order mean Johnstone, of Water Street, Accrington, is barred from the town centre between 6pm and 6am, is not allowed to stay in any property in Hyndburn without the consent of the owner and must not enter any premises where he has previously been barred from entering.

He will also be named on the Pub Watch list -- recently launched by Accrington Police.

Once served with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) police have greater powers of arrest and can detain the youth immediately if they feel he is causing 'alarm, distress or harassment' to anybody in Hyndburn.

Detective Sergeant Mark Evans, who now works in Blackburn, was one of the officers instrumental in bringing him to court.

He said: "This is the sixth such order granted in Accrington alone and the second in relation to the town centre. The police and Hyndburn Council and the respective crime and disorder partners, are sending out a message that anti-social behaviour will be challenged and those responsible held liable.

"This is a clear example of a youth who flaunted all attempts to address his offending. The fact that he is not allowed in the town centre after 6pm is a strong indication of the police and council's intent to protect the people of Hyndburn from the unprovoked attacks of violence and disorder. I hope that the fact he has this order against him, he will now make every effort to rectify his behaviour to make this order unnecessary."

Hyndburn councillor Doug Hayes, member of the crime and disorder committee, added: "We welcome the magistrates' decision to impose this order. It demonstrates the value of the police and council working together to combat anti-social behaviour in the borough."