Police have come up with a new way to tackle local youths - on the football pitch.

Officers in Chapelfields, York, hope a football match against local youngsters will help them to build bridges with the community - as well as keeping the teenagers off the streets and giving them something to do.

Police community support officer, Craig Boumphrey, who is organising the event, said: "We want to build a bridge between them and the local bobbies and try and build up a bit of a relationship with them.

"We see them hanging around the shops and they say We're bored', so this we're giving them something to do.

"We have been offered the full, floodlit astro-turf pitch at Oaklands Sports School and the bar area for hot and cold refreshments.

"Safer York Partnership have generously said they will give funding for bottled water and a snack.

"I am hoping to get the force printing unit to produce a certificate for the youths as a goodwill token. This would create links between police and Westfield ward."

Police are inviting male and female players to take part in the 11-a-side match, and the police team will also include players of both sexes.

PCSO Boumphrey said everyone would get an opportunity to play on a "roll-on, roll-off" basis.

About 15 teenagers have already handed in consent forms, signed by their parents.

The match will take place at the Oaklands Sports School, at 8.30pm, on December 1. If it is a success, then police plan to do the same thing in other areas of the city.

So do the police think they stand a chance against the youngsters of Chapelfields?

PC Martin Scott, who is organising a football kit for the police and an FA-qualified referee, says they are not worried.

He said: "We've got a few secret weapons! Everyone is welcome, even if they just want to come along and watch."

He said it would also provide an opportunity for the parents of the youngsters to meet each other and have a chat.