Villagers in Cullingworth have been asked to catch disruptive children on film.

The evidence gathering idea has been put forward by the police following complaints from residents about the anti-social behaviour of a group of youngsters.

Residents in Church Street have reported children jumping up and down on graves in St John's Parish Church graveyard and shouting abuse at adults who question what they are doing.

PC Ian Hemsworth, speaking at a meeting of the parish council, said he had asked members of the community to catch the culprits on camera or camcorder so he could identify them and send a cautionary letter to their parents.

He also spoke to a group of youngsters outside the village hall during the meeting on Wednesday evening.

PC Hemsworth also stressed that adults should not compromise their own safety when taking the photos.

Parish councillor John Coultous said: "There were a group of young people over the jubilee weekend who pulled all the flags down.

"The youngsters get away with shouting abuse so it goes a bit further, and we've now got these youths roaming around Cullingworth, not just in the church grounds.

"Unfortunately, it's been going on for so long they accept it as the norm, and if we don't have something done quickly it will get worse."

Chairman Councillor Bryan Hobson said: "The warning only needs to happen a couple of times for them to get the message."

PC Hemsworth reported that the number of crimes in Cullingworth had fallen to 20 in August, compared to 22 in the same month last year, a decrease he attributed partly to the division targeting drug related crime. However, the number of burglaries was up in the village from eight last year to 11 this year.

Criminals were also continuing to steal car keys left lying around homes and stealing good quality motors.

"A majority of the crimes can be taken out if people take a little bit of care by locking doors, putting cars in garages and making sure car keys are out of sight and not left next to back doors," said PC Hemsworth.