COMPLAINTS of youngsters behaving badly have led police to step up patrols in Bare and Torrisholme.

PC Guy Hamlett says police have received several reports about youths hanging about, being disorderly, underage drinking and causing criminal damage.

One recent report was about two teenage boys in Torrisholme assaulting a woman pensioner and knocking her to the ground. As a result police are to step up patrols.

Troublesome youths can expect to have their details taken down and be reported to the Youth Offending Team, says PC Hamlett.

Or worse, they could be arrested and taken before the courts.

He says: "I am fully aware the problems are being caused by a small minority of youths, but their actions are tarring all the youths in the area with the same brush.

"As a result we would encourage respectable youths to report any incidents involving their troublesome peers to the police."

To help police, call 01524-63333.