STREET fights, damaged vehicles and under-age drinking are just some of the offences that have prompted police to write to parents demanding they control their children.

During the past few weeks officers have seen a surge in calls about antisocial behaviour in the Heworth and Huntington areas of York.

This week officers will be stepping up patrols in the areas and using covert cameras to help collar the offenders behind the crimes.

But in the meantime one officer has taken the step of writing directly to parents - demanding they control and monitor their children's behaviour.

Sergeant John Freer, of the Safer Neighbourhood Team for Heworth, Huntington and New Earswick has written a letter which will be sent to everyone in the area this week in a bid to encourage parental responsibility and to dissuade groups of youths congregating in the area "It might not sound like the biggest crime wave around, but when it is happening in the same area day after day, people begin to get a little cheesed off," he said.

"There is no acceptable level of antisocial and criminal behaviour; it does not have to be a part of life.

"If you are the parent of a child, irrespective of their age, and you do not know where they are going, who they are with and/or what they are up to, then you are failing in your duties as a parent.

"It is your responsibility to ensure your child does not engage in this kind of behaviour."

Police will be making several arrests in upcoming weeks of known individuals who are causing the crime spell in the area.

"In the next few days and weeks we will be arresting a number of individuals who live in this area," said Sgt Freer.

"These individuals have already been identified as engaging in antisocial behaviour and low-level criminality.

"When they are arrested we will seek the stiffest penalties through the courts.

"In addition, we plan to conduct several operations in the forthcoming weeks utilising plain clothes officers and covert cameras to identify further offenders."

The Safer Neighbourhoods Team is also urging residents to step forward if they witness a crime.

"As a team, we are determined to tackle this problem, but we need the help of residents," said Sgt Freer.

"I understand perfectly well that some residents are reluctant to assist the police and provide statements when they witness an incident, but we cannot deal with these youths effectively by ourselves."

The move by the police has already won the backing of one parent in the area.

Ian Pennock, of Huntington Road, Huntington, said his daughter has now left home, but the idea of sending letters was a good one.

He said: "I think it's a good idea to get people involved."

Mr Pennock said he hears of occasional problems like burglaries and said he believes parents should be far more aware of what their children are doing when out in the evenings.

The Safer Neighbourhood Team is working closely with the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust and City of York Council.

Offenders who live in a Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust or council house risk being evicted from their homes if found to be persistently responsible for antisocial behaviour in the area.