Police in Poulton are targeting youths this weekend in a bid to cut incidents of criminal damage.

Officers will be visiting known troublespots in the town to deal with offences such as vandalism and vehicle damage as part of Lancashire Constabulary's Operation Summer Nights campaign.

PC Ian Lester, who is a community beat manager in Poulton, said: “We are determined to reduce the number of criminal damage and other anti-social behaviour offences by using every means available to us.

“We have been very successful in dealing with criminal damage with the figures showing a five per cent fall across Wyre last year.

“Together we have made these reductions because the public have told us the hotspot areas.

“We are putting the right people in the right places at the right time and this is what we will be doing this weekend.”

PC Lester added: “Work is also under way to educate young people through our schools about the implications of being caught up in criminal damage and anti-social behaviour activities.”

In another police initiative, new controls on drinking alcohol in Fleetwood's streets will be in place in time for Tram Sunday next weekend.

A number of Designated Public Places Orders (DPPOs) were previously granted by Wyre Borough Council.

These will now come into force on July 11 and give police the power to confiscate alcohol being consumed in any of these public areas if they feel such activity could lead to anti-social behaviour or criminal acts.

Signs will be shortly be erected on lampposts to alert people to the changes.

The new measures are particularly timely for Fleetwood, where thousands of residents and visitors are expected to celebrate Tram Sunday on July 20.

All areas identified have a history of nuisance and disorder.

Sergeant Gary Tunstall, said: “It was important for us that the DPPO was in place ahead of Tram Sunday to allow us to work with the community and familiarise them with the new legislation.

“The orders will help us to tackle some of the underlying alcohol related activity that causes disruption in Wyre.”