A FAMILY has called for more to be done to support young people after receiving police and council complaints about her ‘polite’ children.

Emma Hammond, 39, said they should not be victimised, just because her son Liam Bennison, 17, has a large group of friends who spend time at her house.

Mrs Hammond, a probation officer, said her children have been made to feel like criminals if they congregate in the street or at parks.

But she said a move to convert their outhouse into a place for Liam and his friends to spend time – which had a 10.30pm curfew and a no-alcohol policy – just led to more complaints.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s public protection team has also written to the family to inform them of complaints from neighbours in Mavis Road.

The council confirmed it was investigating a complaint about noise.

Mrs Hammond and her husband Craig, 39, a Blackburn College lecturer, said they moved to the Witton area of Blackburn in a bid to make a better life for their children Liam, Zak, 15, and Eden, 12.

She said: “Our teens are polite and friendly and have plenty of friends and this is where we have a problem.

“One of our sons, Liam, who is at college, has a large group of friends, all similar ages to him, and they like to spend time together, having a laugh and listening to music.

“So we have let them turn our outhouse into their own space, which they have done up, put in a music system and lighting.

“They are moved on from Witton Park as people say they are intimidating.

"They are moved on from Mill Hill, where they have friends. They are moved on from the town centre.

"Corporation Park is a no-go area, so where do they go?”

Local Coun John Wright said: “We we are hoping there will be more provisions for young people when the new Sacred Heart Primary School is built.”