POLICE chiefs want to cut out courts in an immediate crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

Police are calling for new powers of instant justice' to hand out anti-social behaviour orders as soon as tearaways offend - not waiting as a last option in the legal system.

And Warrington Police is welcoming the prospect.

Chief Superintendent Chris Clarke said: "It's a great idea. What we are wanting to do is speed up the process.

"At the moment it takes an inordinate amount of court appearances and paper work to get to an Asbo.

"There is no middle ground. It's nothing or an Asbo with an immediate threat of jail."

The move comes as the Association of Chief Police Officers considers pushing the Government to dish out punishment without the need for a court appearance.

"If the system changed we could react quicker to people and prevent issues getting so far down the line.

"It would give us more flexibility with offenders," added Chf Supt Clarke.

Among the proposals are the immediate exclusion of teenagers from town centres at night and to ban street gang members from associating with each other.