A YOUTH leader today urged residents to deploy a new weapon in their crusade against troublemakers -- respect and responsibility.

Barry Emmett, Lancashire County Council's chief officer for youth and community services in Hyndburn, spoke out at a meeting of the Church Area Council as residents bombarded councillors with complaints about youngsters.

They pleaded with councillors and police officers to curb the juvenile nuisance problem plaguing the town after reporting a catalogue of incidents centring around Gatty Park, home of the community's war memorial.

Incidents reported included:

Teenagers riding across the bowling greens in Gatty Park on bikes;

Gangs of youngsters hiding in dark corners of the park smoking and drinking;

Graffiti being daubed on the walls of houses;

Youngsters hurling eggs at and writing on the war memorial.

The residents, who claimed to be at their wits ends, also reported being abused by youngsters when they had approached them to quieten down or to ask them to stop vandalising local amenities.

Police representatives at the meeting assured residents that getting on top of juvenile nuisance issues was a top prioirty.

But Mr Emmett, who helped to found Accrington's New Era centre, said: "Not all youngsters are bad news. If they are given responsibilty and respect, they almost always come up with the goods."

David Cowell, chairman of the Church Residents Association, said: "What is needed is good old fashioned dicipline.

"I'm not talking canes but responsible parenting and teaching by example.

"Youngsters have so many opportunities to do things these days with so many facilities available yet they always seem to cause trouble.

"We never did when we were youngsters and we didn't have so much on offer."

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: "I don't think the extent of the problem here in Church is being appreciated.

"They are destroying Gatty Park and are always riding over the bowleing greens. If you try to speak to them nicely then all you get is abuse and you fear for your safety."

Police have promised to increase patrols in trouble-spot areas, such as Gatty Park.