YOBS could be named and shamed on leaflets pushed through the doors of families they have terrorised.

Worcester Police are considering the move to tackle anti-social behaviour that can blight the lives of residents countywide.

Leaflets would contain the names, photographs and offences committed by louts who have been made the subject of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOS).

The leaflets would also contain details of the ASBO and urge residents to call police if they have broken conditions.

Tearaways would then risk imprisonment, eviction from their home or being thrown out of the area.

There are currently 13 ASBOS in south Worcestershire with an unspecified amount pending.

The "shop a yob" scheme has been successfully implemented in Wigan.

Worcester MP Mike Foster has backed the scheme and written to Worcester police to highlight the project's success after speaking to Wigan MP Andy Burnham.

Supt Rod Reynolds, of Worcester Police, said: "Before we put any proposals to the Crime and Disorder Partnership of South Worcestershire, we're taking legal advice from the force solicitor.

"It's not simply a matter of going ahead without having due consideration to the likely legal implications - particularly with a regard to human rights and data protection.

"While there are obvious advantages in making the community aware of who is the subject of an order - and the restrictions that have been placed on certain individuals - we must ensure we do not, ourselves, break the law in doing so."

Council leader Stephen Inman said he would welcome the scheme if it was approved by police.

"Anything that helps the fight against crime has got to be a good thing," he said.

"However, it has to be executed correctly. It would have to be bona fide leaflets put through people's doors."

Mr Foster is urging the police and council to adopt the scheme and said if it was introduced, it would help empower victims of anti-social behaviour.

"One of the complaints I receive is all too often victims feel helpless when tackling anti-social behaviour. It gets reported but no one knows what happens next.

"If someone gets an ASBO served against them, why not let local people know what it is for?

"That way, the victim knows something has been done and local people can keep an eye open to "shop the yob" if they continue to break the law."