Extra police patrols are to be made in a village to stop anti-social behaviour.

Officers will work with colleagues from other parts of Bradford in a bid to combat teenagers causing chaos.

Seven young trouble-causers will also be served with acceptable behaviour contracts by Bradford Council's anti-social behaviour team after being identified by residents and police.

The contracts are the first step in a three-stage process which could lead to ASBOs being served in Cullingworth.

Residents claim yobs have also vandalised the cenotaph, Methodist church and Scout hut and started fires and uprooted plants. Sergeant Esther Hobbs, who leads the Bingley neighbourhood police team, said: "On the whole young people in Cullingworth are nice children. It is only a very small minority who are causing problems.

"We have identified some of these and served them with acceptable behaviour contracts. We will be increasing patrols in the area to give a reassuring presence. We are also working closely with youth services and the Bradford anti-social behaviour team and would appeal to the community to contact us if they have any anti-social behaviour to report."

Parkside year ten pupils Amy Dent and Harriet Lofthouse, both 15, spoke out to reassure residents that all pupils at the school shared respect for their neighbours. Amy said: "There are always teachers who come out at dinner-time to make sure none of the pupils are doing anything wrong.

"It is only a small group who are doing anything wrong and they are here after school and at weekends."

Harriet added: "All the pupils here have great respect for our neighbours."

Parkside School deputy head teacher, Mike Smith, stressed the problems with anti-social behaviour were occurring during after-school hours.

He said: "We believe we have a responsibility to help the village. There are a number of people in the village who we can help identify and therefore help police with their inquiries. The school is more than happy to help.

"Some of the young people involved do come from the school but it is a problem which is happening on evenings and weekends and also involves parental responsibility."

Mr Smith said school assemblies and lessons had stressed the importance of rights and responsibilities and good citizenship to pupils.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "Information has been supplied to the council anti-social behaviour team by West Yorkshire Police and residents regarding groups of youths causing annoyance in Cullingworth.

"The incidents include criminal damage, harassment, verbal abuse and putting a rope across a road. This behaviour is anti-social and will not be tolerated. Agencies are working together and as a result seven youths have been identified as being involved in such behaviour and will shortly be served with acceptable behaviour contracts."

e-mail: dan.webber@bradford.newsquest.co.uk