MOUNTED police have taken to the streets of a Hyndburn town in a clampdown on nuisance teenagers who are running amok in gangs of up to 15.

Mounted officers are patrolling Great Harwood town centre after a series of complaints about nuisance behaviour.

Two teenagers have been arrested for breach of the peace and many more have been escorted home to their parents.

Inspector Bob Ford of Great Harwood Police said: "Some of these teenagers have been running around the town centre in groups of 12 to 15, which can be quite intimidating. They have been making life a misery for people at the Late Shop in Glebe Street.

"They seem to be playing some sort of game to try and cause the maximum amount of nuisance in as many places as possible.

"When we take some of these kids home, we find their parents haven't a clue what their children are up to.

"I would urge parents to make sure they know where their children are and what they are doing. This is not just a police problem and parents can help keep their children out of trouble."

Police have been talking to staff at the Late Shop to see how children can be discouraged from loitering in the store entrance.

The mounted branch will continue its patrols next week.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.