PARENTS have been told to expect a 'knock on the door' if they fail to take action over their rowdy children.

Letters from the police have already been delivered to the homes of 17 children suspected of antisocial behaviour in Witney.

The letters were the result of a covert operation last Thursday and Friday nights, which saw seven young people arrested for public order offences, across the town, between 6pm and 1am.

A total of 41 young people had their details checked by officers.

The exercise, code-named Operation Juggle, saw non-uniformed officers secretly film crowds of young people at the Buttercross and other areas, including Edington Square in the west of the town.

Young people were caught on camera, drinking alcohol, swearing, causing harassment and distress to other people, and damaging property.

The operation is expected to lead to the issue of a number of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts - informal agreements, in which offenders promise to keep the peace, and not carry out antisocial acts. Failure to honour such contracts can lead to Antisocial Behaviour Orders, which can in turn, lead to jail, if the terms are breached.

Chief Inspector Dennis Evernden said: "We want parents to think beyond their front doors, and remember they have responsibility for their children's behaviour when they leave the house."

He added: "This will have been a very good result if this kind of behaviour reduces. It also sends out a strong deterrent message. Tackling antisocial behaviour is about parenting, policing, and citizenship, together. And some parents can expect a knock on the door.

"We need to let people know that some children's antisocial behaviour, often fuelled by drink, is costing everyone - through higher insurance premiums and repairs to property. People need to think about helping to teach their children about their rights and responsibilities."

Speaking about the operation in Edington Square, PC Pam Delahay, of Witney Police, said: "A large group of people were spoken to by police about their behaviour. Some of the group had been drinking, even though they were underage. As this is a problem area for antisocial behaviour, and there have been quite a few reports of damage, their details were taken.

"We then wrote letters to all the parents and guardians of the youths spoken to, advising them that their child had been spoken to by police. It also highlighted the problems that are occurring in the area, and asked for their support in trying to stop this sort of behaviour. On the same day that these letters were delivered, a number of supportive calls were received from parents. This is a course of action that will be used in the future."

Bill Oddy, head of community services at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: "This is something we'll be doing on a regular basis."

Vandalism accounted for more than 40 per cent of reported crime in West Oxfordshire last year - with 53 incidents in Witney in December alone.

Police have urged communities to come together to tackle the problem, saying the rising amount of vandalism was increasing premiums and blighting neighbourhoods.

Bill Butcher, Witney police's crime reduction officer, said: "We all have a responsibility to each other to stamp out vandalism and damage in our neighbourhood, and we can do this by identifying those causing the problem.

"Vandalism offenders are living among your neighbourhoods - they may be friends, neighbours, or relatives. It's vital that the police receive information on these incidents."

The Community Safety Partnership is running an advertising campaign, encouraging people to report vandalism. This includes the distribution of 500 posters throughout the district.

Anyone with information about vandalism should call the police enquiry centre, on 0845 8 505 505, or Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.