AN experiment to bring peace to a yob-plagued town by imposing nocturnal curfews on its teenagers had a promising start this weekend when the streets of Redruth in Cornwall were free of the usual intimidating gaggles of youths.

Under the experimental curfew, named Operation Goodnight, parents in the most troubled part of the town have agreed with police that they will keep children under 16 indoors after 9pm, and that under10s will not be allowed out after 8pm.

The scheme, which runs until September, is being monitored by police and politicians amid growing demands for widespread action to tackle youth crime.

Earlier this month a Sunday Times poll showed that nine out of 10 parents backed restrictions on their own children going out after dark. The poll showed that 73% of parents would welcome an 8pm curfew for young children and a further 17% would back one at 9pm.

The Redruth scheme was introduced by police after months of complaints from residents about children as young as eight being out late into the night. In addition to lurking on the streets and shouting at passers-by, children have been spotted climbing lampposts and drinking into the night.

Under extant government dispersal orders, officers asked parents to co-operate with the voluntary scheme by stopping their children going out at night. The parents all agreed to do so. As a result, the streets were quiet this weekend.

PC Marc Griffin, an officer whose beat is the Close Hill estate, said: “We want to see parents being part of policing their own community. Essentially, this is about them being aware of where their children are and taking responsibility for them.”

Julian Commons of the Anti Social Behaviour Team, a local group, said: “The kids have responded very well - I have to give them credit.”

According to police, no children wilfully broke the curfew on Friday night. Officers stopped a number who were returning from a shop and a youth club, then telephoned their parents to let them know where they were.

Caitlin, 13, and her friend Alex were stopped by the police at 9.44pm and both were apparently unaware of the curfew’s start. Caitlin said: “I was going to the shop to buy sweets; they phoned my dad but he won’t mind because he knows I’m good as gold.”

Teenagers who had said they would defy the order also stayed at home. Andrew, 15, who had promised that he would break the curfew, said: “I’ll be coming back out - I don’t care. Why should we be inside at 9 o’clock? I’m 15 years old, not two.”

However, by the time the curfew had come into effect, Andrew and his friends had returned home.

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