SOCCER star Phil Neville is backing a police campaign to boot bad behaviour out of the Rossendale Valley.

The Manchester United and England footballer, who lives in Rossendale, has kick-started the offensive against young offenders at a special launch.

Police say Haslingden, Rawtenstall and Edenfield have serious problems with young people misbehaving and causing a public nuisance.

The new campaign will see the introduction of a penalty system, which will end with the most serious offenders being prosecuted.

Any youngsters caught causing a public nuisance will have a letter sent to their parent or guardian. The details of the youngster and the incident will also be recorded on a register.

If the youngster is picked up in the future, the police will step up their action with either a visit to their home or school.

In the worst cases police may chose to take court action, or get the social services involved.

Phil, who lives in Crawshawbooth, near Rawtenstall, said: "I think this is a great idea and, as a local resident, I was delighted to be involved in the launch." Sergeant David Croll helped set up the scheme. He said: "Dealing with repeated nuisance is one our priorities. As a division, our objective this year is to reduce disorder and anti-social behaviour by three per cent.

"The Young Persons' Referral Register is one of a package of measures we plan to use to achieve this objective.

"It will help us to keep track of the main culprits and, by working in partnership with other agencies such as local agencies, find long-term solutions to the problem of nuisance by young people."

Sergeant Croll added: "We were delighted that one of Rossendale's most famous residents was able to help us launch the initiative."

The scheme was officially unveiled on Haslingden's West View Estate, where a lot of work with young people has been carried out.

Schemes have included a Groundwork Youth Works programme, which involved Rossendale Council, social services and local community organisations.

Picture: Phil Neville joins forces with Sergeant Dave Croll, of Rossendale police, and Alex Croll to launch the Youth Referral Scheme on Haslingden's High View Estate.