PARENTS of young troublemakers could be evicted from their council homes in a new crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

Redditch is set to be one of the first towns in the region to pioneer Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs).

These will be issued to known yobs aged 10-18 in an attempt to combat the growing problem of loutish behaviour.

The contracts pledge children not to damage property, write graffiti or abuse residents and passers-by.

They will be signed by the youngster, the parents, council officials, police and any other agencies involved in the case.

Members of the housing committee agreed to the initiative on Monday night and the scheme should be given the final green light at the end of the month.

The ABCs can be effective within days and will be constantly monitored for up to six months, after which they will be reviewed.

But if a youngster breaches the contract, the council and police can use it as evidence to support the enforcement of a more stringent Anti-Social Behaviour Order issued by the courts.

A council spokesman said if the subject of an ABC was the child of council tenants, the authority could look to evict them.

But children from privately owned homes would not be excluded from ABCs.

Despite unanimous approval from councillors on Monday, there were some doubts as to the effectiveness of the measure.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Nigel Hicks said: "It's a very good scheme but I do have some slight concerns the contract could be seen as a badge of honour."

But committee chairman Councillor Bill Hartnett said: "It has been successful in Islington. Police are involved in home visits and monitoring the improving behaviour of the individual.

"In some respects, the ABC is seen as a way out for the individual concerned to stop anti- social behaviour before it goes too far. They see it as an escape hatch, their salvation almost."

Pc Richard Waterhouse, of Redditch police, said: "It's just one way of trying to reduce anti-social behaviour before it gets out of hand.

"If the person continues after that, we'll look at an Anti-Social Behaviour Order as the next step."

The Contract

THIS CONTRACT is made on (date)

BETWEEN (partner agency)

AND (name and address of young person)

AGREES the following in respect of future conduct:

1. I will not write graffiti or damage any property. (specify where)

2. I will not climb on rooftops or enter lift shafts or other prohibited areas.

3. I will not throw anything at residents or passers-by. (specify where)

4. I will not threaten or abuse residents or passers-by. This includes swearing.

FURTHER (*****) enters into a commitment with (agency) not to act in a manner which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not in the same household.

FURTHER, if (*****) does anything which he/she has agreed not to do under this contract which (agency) considers to amount to anti-social behaviour, this may result in an application to the magistrates' court for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order to prohibit (*****) from acting in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household.

FURTHER, (*****) acknowledges that where an Anti-Social Behaviour Order is made by the court and breached, he/she will be liable on conviction to terms of imprisonment not exceeding five years or to a fine or both.

DECLARATION

I confirm that I understand the meaning of this contract and that the consequences of breach of the contract have been explained to me.

Signed (******) young person date.............

Signed (******) parent/social worker date........

WITNESSED

Signed (*****) partner agency official date.........

Signed (*****) police officer date............