POLICE chiefs are set to clamp down on problem youths in Leigh as part of a six-month pilot project.

Trouble hot-spots have already been identified in Lilford Park, Pennington Park, Leigh's Town Hall square and recreation grounds in Astley.

Now bobbies have been briefed, ready for quick call-outs to the areas as soon as gangs of youths gather.

Residents associations around the town have helped police gather information on the gangs of youths plaguing the district, who are involved in under-age drinking and criminal damage.

Leigh police Supt Mary Vaisnys revealed a youth strategy plan has been drawn up to target the problem over the summer months.

She added: "We plan to attend incidents reported to us as soon as possible to take the names and addresses of youths.

"Letters will be sent to their parents telling them that their children have been spoken to. If it happens for a second time then we will visit their parents' homes.

"The police do not want to tag these teenagers as criminals, they are just growing up.

"But there are hot spots that we know of where youths congregate. There's reports of under-age drinking with empty cans thrown into the road or people's gardens.

"Shrubs and bushes have also been pulled up and because many gardens are open-plan, the youths are just walking across people's property."

The initiative will run throughout the summer months, which are seen by police chiefs as the worst period for youths causing anti-social problems.