Juvenile vandals face on the spot fines

Police powers will be trialled in a Home Office pilot scheme in seven areas, allowing officers to fine offenders aged 10 to 15 up to �40.

The forces are Essex, Lancashire, Merseyside, the Met Kingston Division, Nottinghamshire, West Midlands and the Transport Police (West Midlands).

Parents or guardians could go to jail if the fines are not paid.

'Major weapon'

Home Office minister Hazel Blears said: "Parents cannot be spectators and have to take responsibility for their children.

"They cannot stand by whilst their children cause damage and distress to law abiding citizens."

Other offences covered by the crackdown include harassment and the misuse of fireworks.

Police forces say PNDs (Penalty Notices for Disorder) for adults, which were rolled out nationally in April, have become a major weapon in the battle against anti social behaviour.

Swift response

Inspector John Clucas, of Lancashire Police, said officers were issuing about 600 PNDs each month.

"We have the highest proportion of street issued notices in England and Wales, dealing swiftly with offenders and more importantly keeping our officers in the community and not back at the police station filling in paperwork.

"Our community beat managers told us they needed the PND option to be available for under 16s to allow them to deal with low-level incidents more quickly."

The police already have the power to hand out fixed penalty notices to those over 16 for a range of low level offences.