HOSPITAL bosses have told a teenage crook to "stay away" after an 18-month crime spree which has cost thousands of pounds.

Crime rates at Queen's Park Hospital in Blackburn dropped by more than 95 per cent following the 17-year-old's arrest at the end of May.

The youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will be supervised under a three-month referral order after admitting four offences of burglary at the hospital.

Now health bosses have demanded that he is kept away from the site except in emergencies and said they will apply for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order officially banning him if he doesn't comply with their wishes.

The hospital has been plagued with thefts, criminal damage and juvenile nuisance committed by a group of youths for the past two-and-a-half years. Some of the thefts were blamed on staff as there were no signs of forced entry or damage.

However, in the early hours of May 30 police were called to the hospital and arrested the youth in the grounds.

When they searched his house they found a set of keys, a security swipe card, a two-way radio, a computer scanner and a printer.

When interviewed by police the youth admitted four burglaries which related to property seized at his home. He said he had got into parts of the hospital with the stolen keys and swipe card.

The cost of replacing the equipment was estimated at more than £3,000.

Today Blackburn MP and former Home Secretary Jack Straw, said: "I'm sure the probation service will keep a close eye on what this youth is doing and if he reoffends he will be brought back before the courts and a custodial sentence will be a strong possibility."

When the case was dealt with by Blackburn magistrates, Graham Mark, head of security at Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust, told the court that the teenager and a group of friends had been on the hospital site nearly every night for the last 18 months.

He said: "They have caused a lot of problems with security guards having to chase them all over the place.

"Since this young man was arrested our crime has reduced by 95 per cent. I have spoken to all the staff concerned and the deputy chief executive and we are of the opinion that no matter what else happens we would ask that he is kept away from the hospital premises, except in emergencies. He and his friends have caused havoc."

After the case he said the trust would consider applying to the council for an Anti Social Behaviour Order if the youth goes near the hospital again. After hearing that the teenager had no previous convictions, magistrates warned him he had come very close to a custodial sentence.

The chairman of the bench said: "It is about time you started thinking about your actions. It may have started off as a childish prank, but in the end you and your friends have gone round the hospital causing havoc."

The prosecution asked for £3,180 to cover the cost of stolen items but the teenager's mother was only ordered to pay £200 compensation.

The chairman added: "Perhaps you will think about the consequences not just for the people at the hospital, but also for your mother."

Richard Prew, defending, said it was unfair to blame all the incidents on the youth, as he was just one of a number of youths involved in the trouble.

He said: "Since he has been excluded from the hospital on bail incidents have decreased considerably.

"But I would ask you not to apportion blame and not punish this young man for what everyone else has done.

"I do not know why it has taken 18 months to effect an arrest, but perhaps it could have been nipped in the bud much sooner."

After the case, Graham Mark said: "We will take all necessary steps to reduce crime, violence and aggression within the trust."

Mr Straw added: "This is certainly a compliment to some good work by security staff at the hospital and the police.

"My approach, along with David Blunkett, is that if we can deal with offenders in the community that is better than sending them to prison, providing it is effective."

Referral orders are aimed at first time youth offenders who plead guilty. The youth meets with a panel to agree an action plan which can involve making good some of the harm done.