TEENAGE yobs are set to be hit with fines and orders to stop them congregating as police step up their tough clampdown in a community.

The announcements follow the high-profile swoops by 30 officers on boys' homes in the Highercroft area of Blackburn yesterday.

Six teenagers, aged between 14 and 18, were arrested on the suspicion of burglary, robbery, arson and criminal damage.

Today, police revealed that the unprecedented swoops - a technique normally used on major drug dealers - marked the start of a campaign that will last until the end of August.

Additional police patrols will be put on around the community.

Those officers have been given the power, for the first time in the town, to issue on-the-spot fines of £40 or £80 to those aged over 16 for anti-social behaviour, including drinking on the street.

Previously, the penalties were handed out to people held in custody at Greenbank police station in Whitebirk as a trial. But officers think the time is right to issue them on the street in a bid to stamp out the menace of teenage yobs.

Those fined have 21 days to pay.

Police are hoping this action combined with yesterday's raid will quell the problems in Highercroft.

But if not by the end of August, officers will step up a gear.

They will then consider obtaining, for the first time in Blackburn, one of the new dispersal notices under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

This allows police to ban youths congregating in a specific area, such as a park.

Anyone who refuses to comply with the dispersal notice can be arrested just for hanging around.

Inspector Mick Laraway, of Blackburn police, said: "Members of the community who have been complaining about the problem have been asking us what we are doing about it.

"We have been building up evidence behind the scenes. Hopefully this will now get the message to the community that we will take action. We rely on their information.

"They might not think we are using what they say tell us, but it is like a jigsaw. Their information might be the final piece, so anyone with information should come forward."

Call Blackburn police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information.