POLICE are taking tough action to force yobs to behave on a Kidderminster estate.

Exclusion orders have already been issued against some youngsters on Offmore and Comberton estates, banning them from entering certain shops.

And now West Mercia force lawyers are studying evidence compiled by beat officers against two adults thought to be the ringleaders behind a spate of nuisance crimes in the area, said a police spokesman.

The legal team will decide this month whether to take civil action against the two which could lead to anti-social behaviour orders being imposed on them.

The orders would outline unacceptable behaviour and could include a curfew or a ban on attending specified places. Flouting an anti-social behaviour order can result in up to five years in prison.

Police promised to act after residents complained that not enough was being done to tackle gangs of youngsters and adults who made life a misery for some residents and shopkeepers on the estates.

Problems came to a head in November, when people living near Burcher Green reported incidents ranging from threatening behaviour to vandalism.

As a result police called a public meeting and outlined their plans to boost the number of beat patrols and try to get the ringleaders off the streets.

They urged residents to help them build up a dossier of evidence. "The evidence compiled by police officers is now with our legal team," said the spokesman.

"They will decide very soon whether there is sufficient evidence to pursue ASBOs against two named adults," she said.

Three juveniles are also being investigated, and police have also issued exclusion orders banning named youngsters from shops on the estate.

"We want to reassure residents that we are taking action. The legal processes are taking a little longer than officers initially envisaged but a decision will be made soon," she added.

Councillor Mike Oborski, chairman of the new action group set up to look at problems on the two estates and a resident, said there had been a much improved police presence in the run-up to Christmas.

"We have never had such a good relationship with the police as we have now. Things are certainly improving and we believe that if the ASBOs go ahead that will make a vast difference.

He added: "Residents need to remember that they must still report every incident they see to the police - we must keep up the pressure. There is no point assuming other people will report things."