A quarter of councils had not issued any anti-yob orders

A sheriff has granted an interim Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) against the youth to West Lothian Council and Lothian and Borders Police.

The 17-year-old has been forbidden to approach or contact the Livingston family, which includes an ex-girlfriend.

It is understood he had been going out with the girl until a few months ago.

Allegations have been made of verbal abuse and stalking.

The youngster is also banned from a number of schools and streets, as well as the Livingston shopping centre.

We are delighted we have been successful in this case Councillor Jim Swan West Lothian Council

A police spokesman claimed West Lothian was the first area in Scotland to obtain an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

He stressed police are keen to pursue all legal avenues to stamp out hooligan behaviour.

The spokesman added officers would work with West Lothian Council to use more anti-tearaway orders.

The local authority says it has set up special teams to combat problems in the community.

It claims, in a nine month period, to have dealt with more than 70 cases of harassment, hundreds of noise problems, complaints about children, vandalism, parking and dog mess.

Neighbours from hell

Councillor Jim Swan, convener of the council's community safety committee, said: "Our aim is to make West Lothian a safe and pleasant place for people to live, work and do business.

"We are delighted that our Neighbourhood Response Team, working in partnership with Lothian and Borders Police, has been successful in this case."

It was revealed earlier this year that a quarter of councils in Scotland have not issued a single Asbo in the battle against neighbours from hell.

Unruly neighbours are making life unbearable in homes across the country, according to the Scottish Executive.

The Chartered Institute of Housing said a whole range of measures were needed to solve localised disputes and stressed Asbos were an essential part of the process.