A COUNCIL leader has backed plans by police to tackle anti-social behaviour head-on in a seaside town.Frinton has been subjected to large groups of youngsters congregating in the town over recent months, and meetings between the council and the police authority have led to the announcement of a three-pronged crackdown to clean up the town.

A COUNCIL leader has backed plans by police to tackle anti-social behaviour head-on in a seaside town.

Frinton has been subjected to large groups of youngsters congregating in the town over recent months, and meetings between the council and the police authority have led to the announcement of a three-pronged crackdown to clean up the town.

Plain-clothed officers will patrol the streets at weekends along with high visibility patrols by community support officers and an increase in the number of traffic police on the roads.

Tendring District Council leader Terry Allen, who is also Frinton's deputy mayor, said the action had the backing of the council and the community and it was time that the minority stopped giving youngsters in the town a bad name.

He said: “It's just a culmination of nuisance gathering, what it does is attract the wrong elements in. We welcome all the initiatives the police have put forward.

“We have worked closely in this and had meetings with the chairman of the police authority and we are getting the reaction now because the police are as determined as we are that people of our area can live in peace and tranquillity that they deserve and desire.

“Something must be done because they're just laughing in our faces. The only right way is to lock them up, and that's it.

“It would have been ideal to have done this in the summer months but police know who the main people are.”

Sgt John Scott, of Walton police, said young people in the town needed to know that even when they did not see a police officer in the area it did not mean they were not there.

He said: “These people need to know we have had enough in Frinton. If you are shouting and swearing in the street or causing a disturbance then you're likely to be arrested.

“That's the message that has got to get home.”

Six youths were arrested by officers in the Connaught Avenue area of the town during the first operation last weekend .

Fixed penalty notices were dished out to two boys, aged 17 and 19, for disorderly behaviour and two 15-year-old boys were also charged with disorderly offences.

Another youth was charged with criminal damage and all five were released on police bail to attend Harwich Youth Court next week.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of theft, criminal damage and disorderly conduct and released on police bail pending further enquiries.