TEENAGERS have once again been making the national headlines for all the wrong reasons, after three youths were convicted of murdering Warrington father-of-three Garry Newlove.

Mr Newlove suffered massive head injuries after being punched to the ground and kicked "as if he were a football". He died two days later at Warrington General Hospital, without ever regaining consciousness.

No one would pretend that the problems caused by teenagers in Heworth and Huntington are in any way comparable.

Nevertheless, in the past few weeks the area has been plagued by youths fighting in the street, underage drinking, criminal damage and abusive and threatening behaviour.

The people of Heworth and Huntington should not have to put up with this kind of low-grade thuggery.

The police are quite right, therefore, to decide to impose what amounts to a "zero tolerance" approach.

They have written to parents in the area telling them to control their troublesome teenagers.

Failure to do so could not only lead to their offspring being hauled through the courts, they have said, but could also have implications for parents themselves.

Those who live in council or Joseph Rowntree housing, for example, could risk losing their homes if their teenagers' bad behaviour continues.

The police stance is tough, but fair. And it puts the onus firmly back on those who are ultimately responsible - the parents.

Ordinary law-abiding people are sick of their lives being blighted by unruly teens.

If the parents of those responsible cannot keep their offspring under control, they have only themselves to blame for the consequences.