POLICE are launching a major drive to crack down on young hooligans and vandals across Biddulph.

The police are using a two-pronged initiative in a bid to stamp out loutish behaviour and improve life for residents.

Anti Social Behaviour Orders are being sought against eight boys aged between 14 and 19 from Biddulph East.

The gang has sparked a catalogue of complaints from residents, and breaching the orders being sought could land them in prison.

Alongside the ASBOs the police are to use government legislation to remove groups of young people from the streets at night.

The 2003 Anti Social Behaviour Act allows the police to disperse groups of people, and allow children under 16 to be taken home if on the streets after 9pm and not supervised by a responsible adult or parent.

Children can also be excluded from an area for 24 hours, and the powers conferred by the legislation will be used in Biddulph for three months before being reviewed.

Police officers will visit Biddulph schools next week to reinforce the message being sent out to youths that yobbish behaviour will not be tolerated.

"The reason we are seeking the ASBOs in relation to the eight is to improve the quality of life for residents of Biddulph East," said Rob Thompson, acting inspector for Moorlands West.

"The problems caused by these youths include throwing eggs at people's homes, drinking in the streets and generally loutish behaviour.

"We are looking to improve the quality of life for people so they can have a bit of peace and quiet when they draw their curtains in the evening."

The order allowing the police to disperse groups of youths was agreed on by the Moorlands District Council, and runs until the end of June.

Council officer Mark Trillo said in a report to the council that Biddulph police had received 197 calls from the public between December and March in relation to nuisance youths in the town.

In addition there have been other reports to the police of assaults, criminal damage and disorder.

A group of 50 or so youths were congregating in large groups in and around Biddulph, he added, causing the public to feel alarm and harassment.