A new crackdown will target youths wreaking havoc

Hotspot areas will be patrolled and police surgeries will be held at schools and churches so that officers are more accessible to the community.

The project on the Britwell estate in Slough, Berkshire - a policing priority area - has also received �50,000 from the Home Office Police Standards Unit.

Drug-related offences, robbery and burglary will also be tackled.

Drug dependency is behind many of the problems on the Britwell, and we have already started gathering evidence, raiding houses and taking out the dealers. Sergeant Tony Welch

Sgt Tony Welch, beat sergeant for the Britwell Project team, said: "Youth disorder and vandalism is often linked to truancy or exclusion from school, and lack of recreational facilities.

"When we talk to youngsters on the estate, they say they're bored and they want somewhere to meet where they won't be harassed.

"Children are not the only source of anti-social behaviour - disputes between neighbours are often the cause of public disorder requiring police attendance."

The project team will be based at Burnham police station in Stomp Road.

Sgt Welch added: "Drug dependency is behind many of the problems on the Britwell, and we have already started gathering evidence, raiding houses and taking out the dealers."