IN the past few years the use of weapons like Anti Social Behaviour Orders has helped police deal effectively with a small number of people reponsible for a disproportionately large amount of crime.

Once troublemakers have been highlighted and served with ASBOs by the courts, officers are able to arrest them quickly if they are in the wrong place at the wrong time without having to be actually present and witness them stealing or committing acts of violence or vandalism.

But ASBOs and other measures cannot work until offenders have been identifed.

And that means people keeping their eyes open and not being afraid to come forward and name the yobs.

It is ridiculous, for example, that in the Daisyfield area of Blackburn a small group of teenagers are thought to be responsible for committing 80 crimes in the past month.

As few as five are believed to have carried out the wave of burglaries, thefts, criminal damage and arson attacks.

Over the weekend, police have delivered leaflets urging people to contact them with information.

They must not be afraid to come forward and name names. It is the only way to stop hooligans terrorising their community.