Letters sent out to 'yob parents'

Laura Hamill said more people are reporting bad behaviour

Belfast City Council is to issue warning letters to the parents of children involved in anti-social behaviour in its public parks.

Over the summer the council targeted eight areas as part of a pilot project aimed at combating the growing problem.

It found teenagers are the main culprits when it comes to drinking and vandalism.

Project co-ordinator Laura Hamill said further action would be taken if youths re-offended.

"In the past, I think there was a certain reluctance by people to report anti-social behaviour, especially in parks - they just shrugged it off as a fact of life," she said.

"However, since the project started, we have noticed an increase in the number of people coming forward and saying 'enough is enough' - because they know we are taking action to combat the problem.

"And those engaged in the anti-social behaviour know that we are going to catch them and deal with them."