A POLICE hit squad took part in a high-profile blitz on teenage tearaways in Burnley last night.

Sparked by recent fears of rising juvenile crime in the town, 20 special constables took to the streets in a series of high-visibility patrols.

Officers rounded up dozens of youths at various locations throughout the night as part of a crackdown on youth crime that will see similar patrols carried out four times a week.

The blitz also gave officers a chance to issue Youth Referral Forms to repeat offenders, which see letters sent to their homes and schools.

Specials - who work on a voluntary basis and have the same powers as regular officers - are now targeting teenage crime as part of the on-going operation.

In the past five weeks, officers say they have issued an average of 10 referral forms a night.

Last night's crackdown was sparked by recent reports of youths damaging gravestones in Burnley.

Police found five youngsters in the grounds of Burnley Cemetery, Rossendale Road, after receiving reports that gravestones were being overturned.

Officers attended six separate incidents in less than three hours.

The patrols are carried out four nights a week with an average of around 10 forms issued each night.

Section Officer Ian Jackson, who is co-ordinating the patrols, said: "We will be sending out the forms to their parents and school to inform them of what their children have been doing.

"Sometimes parents don't believe what we tell them which is why we have access to the mobile CCTV van. Undisputed video evidence is shown to them and they are given advice.

"It's all about educating youngsters. In this instance, one said they were in the cemetery because they thought it was safer than being out on the streets which is certainly not

the case."

The team were also called to a home in the Casterton Avenue area of Burnley after youths plagued a family with verbal abuse and threats. They also set fire to their washing line and in the past have broke into their garage and set fire to their fence.

The householder, who asked not to be named, said: "We shouldn't have to be afraid in our own homes but we are.

"I don't even want to go on holiday because of the problems we have been having. They think they are untouchable. I think all teenagers should have a curfew to prevent them being out on the streets at all hours plaguing innocent people."

A juvenile nuisance hot-spot was also targeted where more than 20 youngsters were gathered outside Costcutter Off Licence, Hargrove Avenue.

Police found a "bong" at the back of the shop -- a plastic bottle used as a drug smoking devise.

The licensee Mir Afsar blamed parents for not controlling their children. He said: "Many of the youths that hang around here come from wealthy families so it's not a stereotypical gang, they have more money in their pockets than I do.

"Their parents don't care. They buy cider and sparkling wine from elsewhere and drink outside my shop which puts people off coming in.

"Parents refuse to accept that this is what their children are doing which causes me many problems."

Section Officer Jackson added: "Youth nuisance is a big problem right across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, resulting in numerous complaints to the police.

"Sometimes the youngsters are not doing any harm, they are simply congregating with their friends but at other times, we get problems with underage drinking and anti-social behaviour.

"We recognise that this impacts greatly on the quality of life of local residents which is why we are stepping up activity and carrying out increased patrols.

"These patrols, in hot spot areas across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, are designed to deter nuisance, disrupt the activity of troublemakers and also to reassure local residents."

"The patrols have been ongoing for a couple of weeks now and we've already seen a significant reduction in the number of complaints. A good number of young people have been spoken to and various quantities of alcohol have also been seized."

"Parents also have a role to play in preventing this problem and I would ask them to give us their full co-operation in making this campaign a success."