ACTION has been promised to combat gangs of yobs in Bracken Bank and Ingrow following a crisis summit.

A range of measures will be taken against about 40 youngsters causing trouble across the neighbourhoods.

Criminal proceedings will be taken against the worst offenders following a spate of anti-social behaviour incidents in recent weeks.

Warnings will be issued to other youths, and specialist workers will support families of the offenders.

There will also be extra police patrols, increased play activities and funding bids to employ more youth workers in the areas.

Measures were thrashed out during a meeting called at short notice by Keighley West ward councillor, Jan Smithies, and community development worker, Pip Gibson.

The gathering included police officers, Oakbank School staff, community volunteers and youth workers from Keighley Cougars and Bradford Council.

Coun Smithies was responding to several complaints from residents of Bracken Bank and Ingrow about significant increases in anti-social behaviour of late.

She said: “Residents are at their wits’ end and feel frightened in their own homes due to things being thrown at windows, let alone going out after dark.

“I have also had reports of younger children being bullied or worse by the groups of youths.

“Residents feel the police are not responding to their requests for urgent call-outs and fear things are spiralling out of control as regards the young people’s behaviour and attitudes.”

Coun Smithies said those at the meeting had now formed a Youth Intervention and Prevention Group, which will meet regularly to discuss problems in Keighley West Ward and adjacent areas, such as Parkwood and Oakworth.

She added: “The meeting enabled all the agencies to share intelligence regarding young people, who are seen as actual or potential ring-leaders.

“About 40 young people have been identified as being in need of immediate personal and family intervention to challenge their behaviour.

Coun Smithies said the meeting agreed the vast majority of young people were not involved in any form of anti-social or criminal activity, and it was important existing youth and junior play activities are continued or expanded.

The Keighley Cougars youth project, Your Sporting Chance, will co-ordinate two joint funding bids for detached youth workers in the neighbourhoods.

Mary Calvert, from Your Sporting Chance, said: ‘We share the concerns of local residents and Coun Smithies, and believe a concerted effort is needed to ‘nip this in the bud’ before the situation becomes any worse for those living in the area.”