PARENTS of unruly youths are to be shown CCTV images of their children wreaking havoc as part of a major new police operation to crack down on yobs in Rossendale.

Operation Frustrate will involve more than 100 officers. They will include specialist officers from the support unit, dog unit, armed response unit, road policing unit and persistent offender team as well as neighbourhood policing officers.

Over the next two weeks, they will work together to target Rossendale's most prolific offenders and troublesome hot-spots in a bid to disrupt criminal or anti-social behaviour and gather evidence to put people before the courts.

Officers have already planned a major swoop by a crack team to target criminal damage hot spots and offenders.

Rawtenstall Inspector Caroline Edwards said: "Operation Frustrate is a concerted effort to rid our streets of criminals and reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour.

"Significant resources are being poured in and we are confident that, together with local officers, these extra resources will make a real impact on already low levels of criminal activity in the Rossendale Valley.

"Our message to offenders is clear - either curb your activities or get out of Rossendale and stay out. If you don't, it's only a matter of time before our officers catch up you. With all the extra officers at our disposal, this is no idle threat."

Officers will patrol using Pennine Division's CCTV van and also on foot - armed with camcorders to capture images of unruly youths which will be shown to parents to prove what their children are up to.

A series of search warrants will be executed at the homes of suspected drug dealers and police will also run number plate checks on traffic on major routes to and from the Valley.

Officers both in uniform and undercover will be making visits to vulnerable premises in a bid to prevent robberies - which traditionally show an increase in the run up to the Christmas period.

High visibility patrols will be taking place in town centres to prevent and detect shoplifters and other criminals too.

Inspector Edwards added: "If you are aware of criminal activity in your neighbourhood or you see anyone acting suspiciously then we want to hear about it."