A CRACKDOWN on unruly youths is aiming to clean up the streets of Langbaurgh over the next six months.

Cleveland Police is concentrating on the Lakes Estate, Redcar, South Bank and Grangetown, where they are targeting those responsible for vandalism and gangs of yobs who terrorise the communities.

High-profile patrols will be drafted into hotspot areas to deter offenders as part of Operation Sabre.

CCTV security cameras are being used to identify offenders and dispersal orders could be used to combat gangs.

Chief Inspector Peter McPhillips, who is in charge of the clampdown, said: "The most important aspect of these additional patrols is ensuring the community see that Cleveland Police and our partners are tackling criminal damage.

"I will be reviewing trends daily, to ensure we are out there in the correct communities. My message to those law-abiding members of the community is 'we will catch offenders'."

The operation, which started last week, has already seen 12 people arrested and six offences detected.

Joyce Benbow, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's cabinet member for community safety, said: "This will be a true partnership, involving the police, our own community wardens, the anti-social behaviour team and our CCTV service."

The council's CCTV operators will inform police and council staff of incidents to provide a rapid response.

Redcar busker Norman Evans already knows how yobs can affect the lives of law-abiding people.

The 61-year-old, from Marske, who uses a wheelchair, was preparing to get out of his specially-adapted car when three teenagers jumped in through the open rear door.

He said: "I'd parked up near the Scope shop and had just pressed the button to lift the back of the car up, ready for me to reverse my chair out down the ramp.

"I noticed these lads and, in seconds, they just thundered into my car up the ramp. I was in total shock.

"Then two girls from Shopmobility came by, shouted at them and they scarpered."