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A nuisance youth database described as "an educational tool" has won parents' approval, according to police in Clacton.

The database holds details of children and young people caught causing antisocial behaviour in neighbourhoods. Information held includes name, address, the type of incident, and its location.

Essex police see the database as an opportunity to crack down on antisocial behaviour and prevent children from picking up criminal convictions that might affect them in their adult lives.

Sergeant Sharon Wyatt of the East Clacton Neighbourhood Policing Team explained: "The bottom line is we don't want children to get criminal convictions and ruin opportunities in later life. This is an educational tool which has won the support of parents."

Once an individual's details are entered in the database, a first letter is generated and sent home to the youth's parent or guardian. If bad behaviour persists, police may involve other agencies and invite the guardian and child into the police station for a meeting.

Launched by Sgt Wyatt in April, the project is now being copied in pockets across north Essex. Since April, 227 letters have been sent out, 48 second letters and 10 third letters.

Three acceptable behaviour contracts have been produced with the consent of the guardian. If youths breach the agreement, referrals can be made to other agencies, and applications for antisocial behaviour orders could be issued.

This article was originally published at Kablenet.

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