FIFTY youths have been rounded up in Padiham in a police blitz on nuisance youngsters.

Seven youths were arrested, including two for breach of anti-social behaviour orders, and 43 were issued with Youth Referral Forms.

A large quantity of alcohol was also seized and several; youths were taken home to their parents.

Last week police were called to Scott Park in Burnley after reports that youths were drinking and terrorising bowlers.

The latest crackdown involved police from Pennine Division's Support Unit and Special Constabulary as well as local Community Beat Managers. Pennine Division's CCTV van was also used.

Chief Insp Chris Bithell from Burnley police said: "I hope that the weekend's action sends a clear message to local youths and their parents and I hope it also provides reassurance to local residents that we can and will take appropriate action to tackle nuisance youths.

"However, I must stress that youth nuisance is not a problem that the police can solve in isolation - support from other agencies and the public is vital. It is time for us to all work together to call a halt to this unruly behaviour - the police, the council, local schools, parents and other agencies and individuals, including local residents.

"We made a good number of arrests, issued a lot of youth referral forms and spoke to many young people and parents. We also confiscated a large quantity of alcohol which we are keen to trace the origins of."