POLICE are set to tackle juvenile crime in a new way - with a game of football.

Police officers are in training to take on youngsters in a game of football to raise funds for a new youth shelter.

A nuisance management team was put into action in Oswaldtwistle after residents demanded action - at the worst point police were receiving 20 calls a night about youths congregating on street corners.

But the new initiative, headed by Sergeant Ian Hanson, has shown positive signs of working -- slashing juvenile incidents by 71 per cent.

As part of this scheme meetings have been held between police and pupils at Rhyddings High School to update children on what is happening and to discuss issues that they are concerned about including problems on the streets and negative attitudes from residents.

Residents in the Rhyddings Park area have claimed the park has become a haunt for the troublemakers, causing it to become out of bounds to locals at night.

Sgt Hanson said: "We believe there are only a few troublemakers in the park and once we take them out, things should quieten down."

PC John Davies said: "We are working together to solve the problem. In the short term we aimed to provide positive police action. In the long term we are looking to obtain a youth shelter for the children to congregate in a safe place but one that is away from residents.

"The children will come up with ideas to raise money and will be involved with the planning. That way it gives them ownership of the shelter and they are more likely to see it as their own and use it." To kick start the fundraising the school on Haworth Street will hold a non-uniform day on Friday July 13 followed by a football match where a team of police officers and school staff take on the pupils which will hopefully raise the first £1000.

Paul Trickett, deputy headteacher, said: "This link with the police has proved to be really positive - and it has brought in the elders of the area council which can only be a good thing."

Plans for development of the shelter are also being discussed with Hyndburn Borough Council and other agencies in terms of further funding.