FOUR Oaks residents – who lived in fear of a teen gang leader – have praised Sutton Coldfield police for tackling the thug. Problems with anti social behaviour, caused by a group of youths, began more than 18 months ago on Whitefarm Road, Harcourt Road, and alleyways leading to Blackberry Lane. But police have said that anti social behaviour has dropped significantly since the gang’s ring-leader was handed a two-year Criminal Anti Social Behaviour Order (CRASBO), on November 3, 2009. The teen thug – who has not been named by police – had previously been arrested for public order offences, violence against a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), vehicle crime, and criminal damage. More than 3,000 letters were posted to residents telling them of the conditions of the CRASBO, and what action to take should the youth breach them. One local said: “Your letter gives the law-abiding, and decent, citizens of our community the encouragement to believe that the police and courts can indeed uphold the law, punishing those who choose to ignore it.” The investigation began with a series of targeted police patrols, where five gang members were identified. Sutton police worked with Birmingham City Council’s Anti Social Behaviour Unit (BASBU), to issue the youths with a warning letter, and as a result there were no further incidents from three of the youths. Two continued to cause problems and signed Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC’s), a voluntary agreement with police and the council, that includes conditions on future behaviour. The contracts were monitored by police and the BASBU, and proved successful for one of the youths, however, the ring leader continued to breach the contract. | 
