YOUNGSTERS in the 12-15 years age group have been identified by Liskeard police as the major cause of anti social behaviour on the town's streets – and it's mainly down to drinking.

Now in a major exercise to crack down on drunken youths, who are also largely responsible for damaging vehicles and other forms of vandalism, the police have launched a campaign to clean up the streets which is to last throughout the summer at least.

Youngsters aged 15-17 are also to be targeted. The police say some are drinking to extremes and are coming out of entertainment venues at the weekends often too drunk to get home by themselves. This has the knock on effect of creating public disorder problems.

Co-ordinating the effort will be Sgt Mark Newnham, who had expressed his deep concerns about the youth problem and its effect on the town centre, after he had experienced the troubles during some late night shifts.

In a special interview with the Cornish Times, he said the sheer volume of under age drinking in Liskeard was appalling. 'It is the main contributor to damage around the town' he said.

'Residents are fed up with 'loutish' behaviour and it must be addressed. We will be increasing police presence over the weekends, when most of the trouble occurs, and there will be extra foot patrols to cover areas away from the main streets.

'We are determined to stamp this out'.

Sgt Newnham says any children in the 12-15 bracket found to be drinking, will first have the drink confiscated and will then be escorted home to their parents. Once there the police will be ascertaining why their child was out late, if they knew where they were, or where they were supposed to be, and what they were doing.

Abusive

'The same procedure will apply if children have no drink on them but still smell of alcohol.

In the cases where youths are not only drinking, but are also being abusive or causing damage, they will be arrested and taken to Liskeard police station, where provision has already been made for them.

'We will be taking firm action' said Sgt Newnham, 'and we wish to remind parents that the law states they are responsible for the actions of their children. If damage has been caused we will be asking further questions of them'.

The Youth Affairs Liaison Officers will also be assisting by visiting the Community Schools and speaking at assemblies to make youngsters aware of the campaign, and special bulletins will be posted on school notice boards.

Free card

Another way of reducing the under age drinking will be the encouragement of young people to take up the free ID CitizenCard offer provided through the Cornwall Trading Standards, and recently launched at Liskeard School.

The cards, with photos, have been initially offered to young people aged between 15-18 but it is hoped the age may drop to 11 in the next stage.

Sgt Newnham says the police will be working with entertainment spots and off licences to encourage them to ask for such IDs on a regular basis.