A GANG of teenagers that led a campaign of abuse and intimidation have been warned by police that they are being watched.

Nine troublemakers, aged between 16 and 19, have been sent letters warning them that officers are monitoring their behaviour.

The operation is aimed at breaking up nuisance gangs in the Breightmet area, where groups of up to 30 drunken youngsters, aged between 10 and 19, have caused misery for residents and shopkeepers.

The teenagers have terrorised residents, hurling eggs and stones at cars and buses, abusing passers-by and intimidating shopkeepers and customers into selling them alcohol.

Each of the nine who have been put under special surveillance have been sent an individual letter from the head of Bolton Police, Chief Supt Dave Lea.

Police say that the youths singled out have been responsible for encouraging younger children to cause trouble.

Four of the nine youths were arrested on the first night of a special police operation in the Breightmet area, including one for assaulting a police officer.

Insp Tony Kenyon said: "They are being policed hard and they don't like it.

"We have identified these nine as being the catalyst for a large proportion of nuisance suffered by shopkeepers and residents.

"They have been served with letters making it very clear to them that their behaviour has to stop or they will be arrested - every day, if that is what we need to do."

The families of the louts could also face having their tenancies reviewed by Bolton at Home if they continue to break the law.

Police will also stop other youngsters associated with the group and ask them to account for their behaviour.