BOLTON'S top police officer, Chief Supt Mel Pelham, believes night time curfews would not solve the problem of out of control youths who are terrorising residents.

The call for restrictions of the movement of young people after dark came from families in the Tonge Moor and Tonge Fold area who claim they are living in fear of troublemakers.

They say they are suffering vandal attacks and physical and verbal assaults on a nightly basis.

Mr Pelham said if a curfew was imposed, all children in the area would be forbidden from leaving their homes at night, including law-abiding youngsters.

Instead, the police, in conjunction with the local council, were pursuing anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) to tackling the problem.

Mr Pelham said: "We are actively progressing ASBOs for these young people who are worst behaved.

"They will be considered by the courts based on the evidence provided by the police and the local authority.

"The agencies working with the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership are involved in many initiatives around young people to try to divert them away from crime and disorder. In particular we have got links with outreach workers and organisations such as the Bolton Lads and Girls Clubs.

"These initiatives are obviously long term and they will not change things overnight."

Councils were given the power to impose curfews and ASBOs under the Crime and Disorder Act in 1998. A curfew applies to a small geographical area and affects all children under 15 living there, while an ASBO relates to an individual.

According to the Home Office, more than 280 ASBOs have been introduced across the country, but no curfews have ever been imposed.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We are concerned about the problems reported in the area and are working with local people, the police and other agencies to try to tackle some of the residents' concerns. Extra funding has already been allocated to extend the current youth initiatives in the area."