Operation Manage is a project being run by the Poulton Neighbourhood Policing team and Wyre Community Safety Partnership which has targeted under age drinking, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in the town.

An early review of the operation has shown a reduction of 37 per cent in calls to police in relation to the above categories.

One of the Community Beat Managers for Poulton, PC Ian Lester, said: "The vast majority of youngsters in Poulton are model citizens but there are a few teenagers gathering in Poulton town centre openly drinking alcohol, getting adults to buy alcohol for them, causing criminal damage and anti-social behaviour towards residents and visitors to the town.

"Local businesses such as off licences, pubs and residents were all affected by this small group and their behaviour and residents were concerned about the youths in areas such as Poulton Park and town centre streets between Queensway and Station Road.''

In an effort to reduce this, police say they have stepped up patrols to be in the right places at the right time and produced an information leaflet in conjunction with Wyre Community Safety Partnership asking parents to be more aware of where their children are in the evenings.

PC Lester continued: "Officers and Police Community Support Officers have directly targeted known groups and issued them with Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) which prevent them from gathering in large numbers and encourage them to take part in more meaningful activities.

"The leaflet to parents highlights the effect the youths' behaviour is having on the rest of the community.''