EMERGENCY measures are being taken to stop children as young as eight from hanging around street corners, drinking alcohol and causing trouble.

Operation Asp - Anti-social problems - will be launched in Langbaurgh, east Cleveland, this weekend in response to the "worrying" incidence of pre-teenagers posing a menace to communities.

In one case, an eight-year-old was found loitering in a dark street with a can of lager.

Police are hoping Operation Asp will bring the message home to wayward youngsters, and their parents, that their behaviour is unacceptable.

Chief Superintendent John Kelly, commander of Cleveland Police's 'L' district, said: "What we are trying to do is get parents involved, and to warn them not to be nave.

"I am concerned that many don't know where their children are and that they are not taking responsibility for them."

He said gangs of youths are causing huge problems.

"The biggest complaint I get from members of the public is about young people.

"I'm inundated with letters from across the district from people who are suffering from intolerable anxiety."

The seriousness of the situation was brought home to Chief Supt Kelly when he visited Brotton, Carlin How and Loftus at the weekend.

He said: "I was surprised to see how many young girls were on the streets, how much noise they generated and how intimidating they were."

Operation Asp will involve plain clothes officers targeting trouble spots in Langbaurgh and identifying ringleaders.

If their parents refuse to co-operate in keeping them off the streets, they will be asked to sign Acceptable Behaviour Contracts.

Chief Supt Kelly said: "We are looking to introduce them in the district for the first time.

"If we identify a child who is unruly and out of control, the parents will be asked to sign a contract to bring their child's behaviour up to an acceptable standard. If they fail, we can move on to consider taking out anti-social behaviour orders through the courts."

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Ashok Kumar, called on shopkeepers to take a firm stance against selling alcohol to youngsters