TEENAGERS are being asked to come up with their own solutions to tackle antisocial behaviour.

Youngsters in Princes Risborough are being invited to take personal responsibility for improving their free time and leisure activities as part of an inclusive community and police strategy to tackle antisocial behaviour.

And one idea being proposed is a youth council.

Claire Philpott, Risborough's Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), has identified large groups of youths aimlessly roaming the streets and parks as the primary source of antisocial behaviour in the town.

She said: "One of the main concerns for this area is the large number of young people who gather in the parks on regular evenings.

"This behaviour often leads to problems ranging from littering and excessive noise to criminal damage.

"The groups tend to venture into the surrounding streets and their behaviour has a detrimental effect on the local residents, who find it intimidating."

Ms Philpott said the root cause of the problem was the lack of community services for young people, which appealed to their modern lifestyles and interests.

She said: "They have a lot of energy, and this could be focused towards a creative and positive outlet."

In an effort to tackle the situation, Thames Valley Police, Wycombe District Council and Risborough Area Community Action Group is proposing to set up a youth council to allow young people a say in how they would like to be catered for.

A spokesman for the community partnership said: "We are asking the young people to help us help themselves by setting up a Risborough Youth Town Council, to create new facilities and improve the existing ones.

"It is important to convey to them that if they want something they have to get involved, get organised and get constructive."

Anyone interested in becoming involved can contact Claire Philpott on 01296 396099 or e-mail claire.philpott@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk