LETTERS will be sent to parents of children caught misbehaving on the streets of Accrington.

And if youngsters continue to cause a nuisance, their teachers could be informed as well.

The plan, outlined by Accrington police inspector Dale Allen this week, is designed to reduce the number of complaints of juvenile nuisance.

Insp Allen said: "Although what the children are up to can seem petty to them, it can have a major impact on people's lives and upset them.

"We will take their details and write to their parents letting them know about the problem and ask them basically to get a grip.

"We have tried it in a number of cases and we have found that, overall, we do not come into contact with the youngsters again simply because their parents weren't aware of what they were getting up to and have pulled them back in line."

However, plans have been drawn up to get schools and even social workers if problems persist.

Although the scheme has been tried in Blackburn, it has been pioneered in Accrington on a much larger scale.

Oswaldtwistle councillor George Griffiths said: "If it shames them into stopping doing it, then it will be worthwhile. In my ward, they are forever breaking milk bottles which causes people so much upset and grief. If they can be tracked down and their parents informed, then it would be a massive help."

Traders too are in favour of the scheme. Carol Cookson, who runs a stall on Accrington Market, said: "In other countries, youngsters caught shoplifting have the choice of their parents being informed or being hit with a whip.

"Most go for the whip because they are too ashamed to tell their parents. I have seen it and it works."