Behave or else! (From Warrington Guardian)

Behave or else!

CONGLETON Police are seeking to keep five teenagers on the straight and narrow over the next six months.

The youngsters, four boys and a girl, are aged between 14 and 16, and all but one live in the Buglawton area of town.

They have been made the subject of acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs) because it is felt their behaviour needs to be monitored.

If they break the terms of the contract they could have an Anti-Social Behaviour Order placed on them.

Breaching such an order can have serious consequences including a custodial sentence.

"The purpose of the ABC is to make the person acknowledge their unacceptable behaviour and accept the need for them to change," said PC Carol Rayner from Congleton Community Action Team.

"The contract is a first step to assisting these young people to steer themselves away from possible offending.

"It is to their credit they are willing to work with the agencies to make their future better."

Two of the five teenagers signed contracts at a meeting arranged to discuss and sign the ABC.

The other three failed to attend, and will be given further opportunities to enter into the contracts.

"This is another example of steps being taken to ensure the quality of life for the community we serve," said PC Rayner.

"The youths will be monitored over six months, and if there is an extreme deterioration in offending behaviour the ABC could form part of evidence put before a court in an application for an ASBO."