POLICE are warning youngsters they are stepping up action in an area of Darwen plagued by juvenile nuisance.

Teenagers believed to be mainly from the Anchor area have been hanging around the Hollins Grove part of the town and causing problems, including spraying graffiti on walls, harassing shop staff and damaging property.

Police started a crackdown last month but today issued a reminder to the youths in the area that they will issue ASBOs if the trouble continues.

Darwen police sergeant Mark Thackeray-Scott said two of the gang's teenage ringleaders had volunteered to sign up to Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC), agreeing to tone down their behaviour.

Failure to abide by the rules in the contract would result in an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

Sgt Thackeray-Scott added: "They will also be given cleaning fluid to clean up the graffiti.

"In addition we will be targeting anti-social behaviour in that area and I am hoping that these two older gang members will have a good influence on the younger crowd."

Police patrols have been stepped up at weekends, when the main problems happen, according to police, and residents have been reporting all incidents.

Anyone who has any information is asked to contact Darwen police on 01254 701777.