POLICE today staged a huge and dramatic operation to tackle the menace of teenage yobs in Blackburn.

More than 30 officers swooped on homes in the Highercroft area, arresting five youngsters aged between 14 and 18 before 8am.

The unprecedented police action was meant to send the strongest possible message to the town's teenage hooligans.

Inspector Mick Laraway, in charge of the operation, said: "I hopethis morning's operation sends a very clear message to young people in the area that this sort of criminal and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and that we will come down very hard on them.

"People should not have to live and feel intimidated because of the actions of a handful of individuals."

Police hammered on doors in Fishmoor Drive, Manxman Road, Lytham Road, Morecambe Road, Carnforth Close and Mosley Street, and the youngsters were taken from their beds.

They were immediately arrested and taken to custody at Greenbank police station in Whitebirk on suspicion of burgling several primary schools, trashing a youth project, carrying out robberies, arson attacks and damaging cars and other property.

Officers then searched their homes for stolen property and footwear to check against footprints left at crime scenes.

Police were today trying to trace a further youth who was not at his address this morning.

Such strong action is normally used on those suspected to be major criminals, such as drug dealers.

A 30-strong police raid has never before been used to arrest youngsters in this way in the town.

And there could be further sanctions on the town's unruly youngsters after police revealed they were looking at using new powers that enables them to ban children from congregating in certain areas.

Councillors and community representatives were brought along to watch this morning's raids unfold.

Insp Laraway added: "This sort of approach may seem dramatic but residents in the area have been calling for action.

"We want to ensure Blackburn is a safe place and we will do what is within our power to strive towards that."

Councillor Andy Kay, who watched the raids unfold in his ward, said: "From the residents' point of view, this is good news.

"The success isn't for our benefit but to make residents feel safer and more comfortable in their lives.

"A lot of people have been complaining at the large amount of nuisance in the area. Residents have had to put up with hassle from a small number of individuals. If this gives them some relief, the longer the better."

In Highercroft, St Barnabas and St Paul's CE Primary in Oakenhurst Road has resorted to seeking planning permission to erect a 6m-high security fence to stop vandalism and burglaries.

And nearby Highercroft Primary School in Fishmoor Drive has been plagued by graffiti-spraying vandals.

The Youth Works, a community project for youngsters which is based in St Bees Close, was also broken into and smashed up last month.

After the raids, a local shopkeeper, who did not want to be named, said: "There are problems with kids up here.

"I've had to ban a few from my shop and some of the lads have not been able to come in for a few years."

Staff at Roman Road Health Centre, on Fishmoor Drive, said they had also experie

ced problems with juvenile nuisance. Last week the centre was broken into and an empty safe stolen.