A group of boys have been made to sign acceptable behaviour contracts after complaints that they had been abusive to residents and thrown objects at houses.

Local police have recently seen a high number of anti social behaviour logs coming through from people in the Manor Ward area of Crosby.

After speaking to residents, police identified a small group of four 9-13-year-old males who where causing the majority of the problems.

A spokesman said: “We started to give the area a lot of attention and soon identified the youths with help from the community. They were all referred to the Anti Social Behaviour Unit who invited them into Crosby Police station with their parents to discuss their behaviour.”

The youths who were responsible for abusive language, throwing mud at properties and general annoyance have all signed acceptable behaviour contracts with the following conditions:

* Using abusive, insulting or obscene language or behaviour in public or which may be overheard in a public place which is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as himself.

*Threatening to, or damaging any property belonging to another person in Sefton.

* Throwing any object including bricks, stones, fireworks, eggs or anything else at any other person, property or vehicle in Sefton.

* Entering any residential property occupied of not, including buildings, yards, gardens, driveways and paths which are clearly identified by a boundary wall, fence, hedge without the express permission of the owner or occupier, or a person in the position to do so.

* Not to enter The Crescent shops in Edge Lane in Thornton unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (does not include any person over 17 but somebody with a duty of care in a parental role).

All four have been referred to Positive Futures.

Their parents have all signed parental contracts with the above conditions and fully understand that any breaches could result in a parental order application, which in turn could affect their benefits.

The spokesman added: “We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour from local youths who put residents in fear for themselves and their property. We will continue to work with the community to deal with issues of anti social behaviour in a robust fashion.”

By Rebecca Keegan