TROUBLE-making Redditch youths as young as 16 could see themselves slapped with £80 fines as part of the Home Secretary's attempts to outlaw antisocial behaviour.

In a Commons statement, David Blunkett said antisocial behaviour blighted people's lives, destroyed families and ruined communities and could not be ignored.

The statement was welcomed by West Mercia Constabulary who have obtained 85 antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) against tearaway youngsters - higher than any other force in the country.

Six of these have been in Redditch and 13 trouble-making youngsters in the town have signed acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs).