POLICE are clamping down on yobs in Toothill and Westlea who are behind a dramatic rise in the crime rate.

And officers will use handheld camcorders to gather evidence of criminal activity.

The latest figures for the area show 125 more offences have been reported in the last year compared to the previous 12 months.

And police say that while crimes such as burglary have dropped, petty vandalism and vehicle theft, including a number of thefts of mopeds, have shot up.

Now they are determined to stamp out the low-level disorder before the youngsters get involved in more serious trouble.

Teenagers repeatedly found in areas where police know drug dealing is happening will get a letter home and their parents can expect a visit from police.

A beat manager and a team of five police officers and two community support officers have been drafted in to tackle the problems.

Officers have already been on the streets gathering evidence using camcorders which will be used to hit those responsible with Asbos.

Insp Willie Glasgow said: "Some of the kids over there have become a little more bold and are pushing the limits of what's acceptable.

"I'm quite confident that the increase in police will bring that back into line.

"The message I would send out is You're behaviour is going to change'.

"Things will improve. We would like to see them do that without us having to force the message home.

"It's their responsibility if they are going to carry on in such a way that lands them in court."

Included in the 125 further reports of crime were 52 more offences of criminal damage and 25 more of vehicle theft.

There has also been an increase in drug dealing in the area.

Insp Glasgow said: "If an offender is under 17, we are sending letters to parents telling them we have found their children and pointing it out that they are doing things they shouldn't be.

"Anything we can do to try and amend these young people's behaviour and stop them stepping up that level in criminal behaviour, we will do.

"Some parents find it difficult to accept that their children are involved with the police but they can get into bad company.

"It's a warning that if they continue mixing with the wrong type of people and putting themselves in places where drug use is going on and other minor offences, it's a sure step to court."

One of the worst hit places is Toothill Village Centre.

Police believe there is a core of six people in the area causing the majority of problems and they have called on the public to help put an end to it, particularly with graffiti.

Beat manager PC Tim Tichtener said: "We have found that incidents involving anti-social behaviour at Toothill affect the businesses operating in the area and the lifestyle enjoyed by people.

"It's the anti-social behaviour that brings a bad name to the area.

"If anybody out there knows who the graffiti tags belong to, they can tell us in confidence.

"It's really time that we made inroads into that type of offence."

Anyone with information should call the anti-social behaviour line on 01793 466738.