POLICE were called into Lowerhouses at the start of summer by a beleaguered population.
The area was plagued by increasing vandalism, general loutish behaviour and countless low-level crimes, as well as thefts and robberies.
So a radical step was needed.
That came on Wednesday, June 23, when Huddersfield police commander Chief Supt Barry South brought in an order under the 2003 Anti-Social Behaviour Act.
Finally, some sense of overall control was returned to the area, with an end to the climate of fear created by gangs of teenagers congregating at night.
The three-month operation has helped to quieten the estate considerably.
Troublemakers under the age of 16 who ignored police orders to move on after 9pm could be arrested.
Any children found out between then and 6am could be taken back home. Their parents would be told the children were breaking the order.
After the success of the pilot project - covering Lowerhouses and Ashenhurst - police said that style of clampdown could be used in other problem areas.
Police say that since their new powers came into effect, residents felt more confident giving information about the yobs who were making their lives a misery.
As part of the scheme, police also held truancy patrols. Youngsters stopped were either taken home or to school.
Letters were then sent to their parents.
