The Asbo teenager who caused 40 per cent crime rise in one town

Local police hope they have cured a one-boy crime wave which brought mayhem and destruction on a massive scale to Clitheroe, Lancashire.

Officers told a court yesterday that 17-year-old Kyle Ivison was personally responsible for a 40 per cent rise in violent crime in the town, committing more than 120 offences involving drink, drugs and vandalism.

The thug was eventually brought to court after his father reported him to police for smashing up his own home.

After Ivison's movements were severely restricted under the threeyear Asbo, PC Geoff Woodcock, of Lancashire Police, said: "Clitheroe is a lovely place to live with a high quality of life.

"But recently criminal damage has increased significantly and Ivison has been a major contributor, he's clearly a problem for the whole community."

One local shopkeeper added: "He's scum and I'm delighted the courts have treated him with a firm hand. God knows, I'd like to."

Magistrates in Accrington were told Ivison first appeared on police records for just one offence in 2003 and another in 2004.

There were nine in 2005, then 56 in 2006 and 48 already in 2007.

In May, he was convicted of a catalogue of offences during which he:

Smashed a church's windows, causing £1,400-worth of damage.

Filmed himself smashing up 21 cars, jumping on them, kicking them and ramming one with a shopping trolley.

Got drunk with a 15-year-old girl who had to be taken to hospital by ambulance.

Destroyed a neighbour's garden shed by setting fire to it.

In the last month alone, police logged a further seven incidents involving Ivison, who liked to brag about his crimes, including an occasion when he admitted taking drugs.

He had previous convictions for racially-aggravated harassment, smashing up benches in a cemetery, damaging a fire alarm at a college, using threatening behaviour and possession of Ecstasy and cannabis.

The magistrates heard that on June 29 his own father reported him for smashing up the family home.

PC Woodcock said after the hearing that Ivison committed 38 per cent of the town's crimes during a single week.

He added: "There have been a high volume of vehicles damaged. Understandably this causes a great deal of distress to residents who were regularly greeted by the sight of their wing mirrors damaged, resulting in great cost to all concerned.

"The destruction of four cemetery benches in what should be sanctuary shows his complete disregard for the feelings of others.

"Two were commemorative benches placed in the cemetery in memory of loved ones."

A local store owner, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "Residents, business people, the police, we're all sick of Ivison.

"He and his mates hang around drinking and taking drugs then he goes mental smashing people's possessions and property and terrifying people."

Under the terms of the Asbo, Ivison must not be in any public place between 10pm and 7am for the next six months.

He must not enter premises from which he has been excluded and must not remain in any premises having been asked to leave.

He is also banned from consuming or being in possession of any intoxicant or illegal drug in a public place or gathering in public with eight named individuals.