RESIDENTS are hoping the rounding up of a small gang of teenage tearaways will restore some peace to a town's streets.

Police say residents' complaints of anti-social behaviour have already been halved with the issuing of anti-social behaviour orders to four gang members over the past two months.

The orders made by Teesside Magistrates forbid the youths, aged 16, 14 and 11, to congregate, bans them from certain areas of South Bank, which is near Middlesbrough, or to throw stones, spit at people, or drink alcohol.

Breaching any of the conditions carries the power of arrest. One of the two 16-year-old gang members has also had an interim criminal anti-social behaviour order served on him.

Inspector Mike Cane of Cleveland Police's neighbourhood police team praised the help.

"This group of youths' behaviour was causing us serious concern," he said. "Without local people willing to come forward and provide witness testimony, we could never have achieved these results."

He said the group caused misery to the community - but he hopes they will mend their ways.

Insp Cane said: "We applied to the courts for anti-social behaviour orders as this gang were causing misery to the community in South Bank.

"However, it is our intention to try to work with the young people, and direct them into more positive activities. I am pleased to say that one of them has decided to take up offers of support from youth projects in the area.''

He praised the setting up by community safety wardens and police of a soccer league for South Bank, which is attracting youngsters who might otherwise hang about on street corners.

Inspector Cane said: "This is a carrot and stick approach. Hopefully, they will engage in lawful activities.

"But if they decide to go back to their old ways, then the Asbos carry a power of arrest and we will use that power."

Community safety wardens and the neighbourhood policing team have arranged 91 games at Middlesbrough Football Academy, Eston, from now until the end of September.