A ZERO tolerance crackdown on nuisance behaviour is being waged in an area of Accrington.

Bosses at Hyndburn Homes, which run the borough's stock of former council houses, say they are determined to stamp out early signs of anti-social behaviour on their estates.

Now, after working with the police and residents in the Milnshaw area, they say the zero tolerance policy towards petty crime is paying off.

Hyndburn Homes identified several culprits who were caught and issued with an acceptable behaviour contracts (ABC), in which the youngster pledges to behave.

Hyndburn Homes' Wayne Smith said: "We have been informing residents for some time now that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated on our estates or in our properties.

"We've asked residents to call us about any form of anti-social behaviour with the promise that we will act swiftly."

Mr Smith said he was encouraging some of the youths to write to residents to apologise for their behaviour.

He said: "What they regarded as simply high spirits was totally unacceptable behaviour to other people.

"Some of the youths were children of our own tenants and I'm delighted to report that all of the parents have been fully supportive of the action we have taken and the action of our partners."

Local Police Community Support Officer Katie Brown said: "The ABC acts as evidence that we have tried to curb unruly behaviour and the work we have done in the area is starting to pay off.

"It is mainly petty crimes that are blighting the area but it has an impact on the people who live there."