FIVE youths who scared strangers and threw stones at cars in the Avenues have been given behaviour contracts by the police. The four boys and one girl, all aged between 13 and 16, had been harassing residents in Newland Avenue, Ella Street, Park Street and Goddard Avenue.
For months, the youths would hide and jump out to scare strangers, trespass along the railway lines and throw stones at people's homes and cars.
Now, they have been told to adhere to the contracts, or be given a more serious Asbo.
PCSO Emma Morrod, of the Wyke neighbourhood policing team, said the contracts were proving successful in reducing antisocial behaviour.
She said: "To tackle the issues, the police and Hull City Council agreed the use of acceptable behaviour contracts.
"These allowed us to challenge negative behaviour with the child, rather than simply criminalising them.
"To date, the contracts seem to be having a positive effect on the children's behaviour and incidents involving them have decreased.
"Use of these contracts and more robust enforcement through Asbos are all part of ensuring residents in the area are not blighted by antisocial behaviour."
The children met with officers from the police and council, along with their parents or guardians, to draw up an "acceptable" contract, that each child has to work to, to stop their behaviour escalating.
They have also been told to carry out an activity in a bid to keep them out of trouble and have undertaken "victim awareness training", so they understand how their behaviour was affecting residents.
Ann Percy, of the Newland Avenue Traders' Association, has welcomed the contracts but believes more needs to be available in the Avenues to stop youngsters going off the rails.
She said: "There is not much to do in the area and, while there is no excuse for it, if there were more youth clubs, things like antisocial behaviour wouldn't happen.
"When I was growing up in the Avenues we had clubs and lots of different groups but there isn't much like that any more and, unfortunately, the kids are suffering.
"These contracts should deter the kids because they won't want it staying with them."
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