The Child Safety Initiative, which is being introduced on three Scottish housing estates in Hamilton, near Glasgow, aims to keep youngsters off the streets and out of trouble.

Youngsters will now be free to roam the streets of Hamilton only during daylight

Police deny the scheme is a curfew but youth and civil liberties groups object to what they call a drastic infringement of rights.

The intention is to cut down on vandalism, graffiti and under-age drinking, which local residents had complained about.

John Orr, Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police, says the scheme is also designed to protect the welfare of children on the streets.

Local residents say they wanted curbs on vandalism and under-age drinking

"If there's someone moving about their lawful business from one house to another, they've got nothing to fear - that's not why we're here," he told the BBC.

"But if the police don't do something about the questionable people who are intoxicated or smashing windows then we shouldn't be here."

The operation is a result of a "citizen's jury", a new scheme based on similar ones in Germany and the United States, where residents and community leaders are brought together. After questioning expert witnesses, they come up with ideas to cut crime in their area.

As well as a curb on youngsters, locals in Strathclyde said they also wanted more special constables, counselling for people with addictions and action to be taken against shopkeepers who sell alcohol to under-age drinkers.

But a word of warning came from Stuart Waiton, of the Campaign Against the Curfew.

"Where does it all end?" he asked. "Just about every child I work with has been searched by Strathclyde police - even those going to Sunday school.

"I accept that most people are in favour of the curfew but is it the case that adults are just becoming less confident about dealing with children? It's true that some commit crime but most are just doing what kids have always done. You can't blame everything on the youngsters."