Parents whose children are seen causing trouble are to be visited by police in a radical move aimed at stopping antisocial behaviour.

In extreme cases, officers will write letters about persistent troublemakers to their mums and dads.

It is being taken by officers on two Colchester neighbourhood policing teams as part of a proactive drive to cut reports of nuisance behaviour. PCSOs will take the lead on the project, taking details of children who are seen committing offences.

The information will be passed to parents through informal doorstep chats.

A letter will be sent to the parents of persistent troublemakers and more action taken against the youth if absolutely necessary.

The scheme will be run in the Greenstead, High Woods, Mile End, St John's and St Anne's areas.