Anti-social behaviour 'will not be tolerated' in Bridgwater

The initiative is designed to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour and also to rehabilitate youths who cause trouble in the town.

The Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) panel forms part of the Safer Sedgemoor partnership.

Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset Youth Offending Team and housing associations in the district have joined Avon and Somerset Police on the panel.

Members will decide whether to put ABCs on young people who repeatedly indule in anti-social behaviour.

Under the contracts youths and their parents pledge to work with the agencies to solve their problems.

'Positive action'

Sgt Ray Hulin, who heads the panel, said: "Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in the Bridgwater sector and we are taking positive action with the ABC panel.

"Often the problem is not one just for the police to deal with.

"One of our beat managers might be aware of an individual who is causing a problem, now we have the panel in place to give that person a real chance of turning over a new leaf."

Three ABCs are already in place on youths in the Bridgwater area and these are being monitored by the panel.