TROUBLE-MAKING by youngsters on street corners appears to be on the slide in Warrington.

Continuing campaigns by the town's police force - to tackle the mischief-making minority - have reaped some rewards.

Work carried out among young adults by Warrington's renowned Youth Action initiative in 10 of the 12 high schools is also thought to have made a positive contribution.

Incidents classified as involving "nuisance youths" totalled 2,500 two years ago.

But since then there has been light at the end of the tunnel with police expecting that recorded totals will be below 1,500 for 1999.

Ch Insp Tim Jackson, of Warrington Police, said: "That is no reason to be complacent but we can feel quite pleased that the number of incidents of nuisance youths is going down."

Different factors might be coming into play which would explain the drop, according to Ch Insp Jackson, who stressed that marauding gangs could affect people's "quality of life."

Youths may be persuaded to leave an area if it is targeted properly and offending groups could then break up.

Or parents, on learning their teenage son or daughter was being rowdy in the street, could intervene to prevent a recurrence of that behaviour.

Each divisional sector - Warrington, Stockton Heath, Great Sankey and Risley - has identified a "hotspot" through their community sergeant, calling upon the service of pro-active, reactive and special constabulary squads.

The teams will move into an area and examine ways of most effectively combating the problem.

"Small proportions do cause some difficulties but it must be said that the majority are very good and will grow up to be responsible Warrington citizens," added Ch Insp Jackson.

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