THE parents of three young hooligans could be ordered to attend classes to learn how to control their children.

The two 14-year-olds and an 11-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been terrorising the people of Hardwick in Stockton.

Now Cleveland Police, with the support of Stockton Council, are applying to magistrates for anti-social behaviour orders (ASBO) to be imposed on the three.

The ASBOs, the first to be applied for in Stockton, would stop the youths acting in a certain way, or going into designated areas of the estate where they all live.

The magistrates, who will meet on three separate occasion to consider the cases, will also be asked to implement parenting orders directing the youngsters' families to attend lessons in parenting for 12 weeks.

They would also be put in touch with Stockton's parenting support project, run by the Youth Offending Team and the Youth Justice Board.

Inspector Mick Walker, of Stockton police, said: "These youngsters have made the lives of the residents of Hardwick a misery.

"They have been indulging in a catalogue of hooliganism over a lengthy period of time.

"Hopefully, these anti-social behaviour orders will stop the harassment that local people have had to put up with."

The 11-year-old could become one of the youngest children in the country to be made subject of an ASBO when magistrates consider the cases.

ASBOs, which were introduced as part of the Government's Crime and Disorder Act 1998, are intended to be used as a last-ditch attempt to divert young people from crime.

Any breach of the order would be a criminal offence and the youths would be subjected to tougher penalties.

Tony Hodgson, of the Stockton Youth Offending Team, said: "This Act empowers the community in taking action against those who behave in an anti-social manner.

"The community is aware these young people are subject to anti-social behaviour orders and they can monitor their behaviour and report it to appropriate authorities if they continue to act in the same way."

Magistrates will consider the cases later this month