POLICE claim that gangs of youths -- including some 12 year-olds -- are taking drugs, binge drinking and having under age sex every weekend.

Police Constables Andy Wright and Damian Noblett, from Tyldesley Police Station, have received a deluge of complaints of anti social behaviour from people in Tyldesley, Astley and Mosley Common.

The Community Beat Officers said residents claim up to 70 youths, aged from 12 to 16-year-olds are hanging around every weekend -- drinking and taking drugs.

And they believe parents are unaware of the problem being caused by their son or daughter during the weekends.

PC Wright said: "We've heard reports of drunken youths drug taking and having casual sex in full view of the general public. We even heard of one incident where a young girl was being pulled along by her hair and was so drunk she was unaware it was happening.

"The dangers here are obvious. This is a countrywide problem and we, with the community want to target these issues. All parents and guardians need to make sure they know where their children are and what they're doing."

PC Wright welcomed moves by the Costcutter store at Astley to raise the age of buying alcohol to 21. And they warned that anyone buying alcohol for under 18-year-olds would be prosecuted.

Parents who want any information on alcohol, drug misuse or the implications of having a criminal record can contact PC Wright or PC Noblett at Tyldesley Police Station, or ring 0161 856 7325.