BORED youngsters getting drunk and causing a nuisance are a problem in every British town and city. But it can only be tackled on a neighbourhood level.

That has been recognised by Acomb police in York. They have announced a crackdown on nuisance youths in their area.

This will be music to the ears of local residents. They have had to endure the bad behaviour of a hard-core minority of young people for too long.

Traders' premises have been repeatedly vandalised. Householders feel intimidated by the gangs of youths, some as young as 13, who openly swig alcohol.

Now police are telling them: the party's over. A four-strong team will take to the streets in Acomb and Scarcroft, ready to confiscate alcohol from those too young to drink it. Arrests may follow.

This operation is proof that, even in these days of high-tech policing, there is still a role for the old-fashioned foot patrol. A more visible police presence will certainly reassure residents, some of whom are too frightened to go out at night.

Under-age drinking is a real problem for York, as our court report yesterday confirmed. This revealed how drunken teenagers from Acomb and the north of the city got into fights, swore at police and staggered oblivious into the road.

One way to reduce this loutish behaviour is to prevent the youngsters getting their hands on alcohol. Most publicans are alert to the problem.

However, there are other sources, most notably the thriving bootleg trade in alcohol. No doubt the Acomb police patrols will keep a sharp eye out for those who sell beer and spirits from the back of a van to all-comers, of whatever age.

The Acomb crackdown should curb their activities, and those of the troublemakers who have tarred all teenagers with the same brush.

It is an excellent initiative, and one that could be effectively introduced elsewhere in the city.

Updated: 10:29 Thursday, February 08, 2001