Yobs must sign up

YOUNG Newhaven troublemakers will be made to sign contracts agreeing not to misbehave.

Police are compiling dossiers on known young hooligans to combat bad behaviour in the town centre.

For some time shoppers and traders have complained about gangs of youths who are abusive, cause damage and steal. Vandals have a notorious reputation for throwing objects off the top of the town centre multi-storey car park.

The scheme has been spearheaded by new Seahaven Division Inspector Mark Huff.

He said: 'There have been problems in Newhaven town centre from anti-social behaviour by youths. We have been collecting details and I will be writing to all their parents to let them know they have been involved in an incident.

'If they do it again I will be taking matters further and looking to deal with this behaviour with an Acceptable Behaviour Contract.'

Under the terms of the contracts, which are designed for ages 10-18, a young person agrees not to repeat their anti-social activities.

Insp Huff explained: 'They will come into the police station and I will speak to them about their behaviour in front of their parents and will be asked to sign the contract.

'If they have been abusive to people outside Somerfield, or in the car park throwing things, they will sign a contract to say that they agree they will not carry on committing these offences.'

If the behaviour continues police can use the contract in evidence to support an Anti-social Behaviour Order a court order which prevents the person doing anything it specifies. If breached, the offender could face a jail sentence of up to five years.

Insp Huff said: 'It can put a condition on the individual, for example to stop them going into the town centre. If they breach the order they can be arrested.'