Young tearaways are making the lives of many people a misery on big estates such as those of Whitehawk and Moulsecoomb in East Brighton.

But their days may be numbered under a scheme being put into operation by police, the city council and the New Deal for Communities safety team.

With their parents, they will have to sign contracts facing them with eviction from their homes if the unacceptable behaviour continues.

It's a smart move because it puts the onus on parents to take more responsibility for their often wayward children.

Many of them will think again about letting teenagers run wild if the result is that they are kicked out of their houses.

It should also make all but the most out-of-control kids think twice before condemning their families and themselves to homelessness.