Police in Chorley have taken the unprecedented step of issuing leaflets giving details of a youth whose behaviour has blighted a neighbourhood.

Ryan Sharrock, 15, who lives in Broadfield, Astley Village, was handed an ASBO last year after a catalogue of bad behaviour which included vandalism, drunkenness and spraying graffiti.

To help ensure Sharrock abides by the terms of the order, police have distributed leaflets containing his picture and details of restrictions placed on him to several hundred households in the village and nearby Buckshaw Village.

He is also banned from associating with three named individuals.

The police document states: “He is not allowed to act or incite others to be abusive, insulting, intimidating or threatening to anyone in public, consume alcohol or be in possession of alcohol or spray paint or marker pens in the borough of Chorley.

“Sharrock is banned from being in the company of Ashley Barnes (15), Craig Martin (19) and Zac Cain (14) unless a medical appointments, meetings at youth offending team offices or at educational establishments.”

There is also an undertaking from the police contained in the leaflet to ‘act fast on what you tell us’ if members of the public report Sharrock for breaching his ASBO.

Sgt Sonia Spencer, from Chorley’s neighbourhood policing team, said: “This is the first time in Chorley that these leaflets have been used but we feel it’s a useful way of informing affected communities.

“Ryan has been a persistent nuisance in Astley Village for more than two years and we want to reassure the residents that measures are in place to make him accountable for his actions.”