POLICE have vowed to crack down on messy young boozers littering parks in Newton Abbot. Their pledge to deter the nuisances came after a clear-out of culprits at Courtenay Park earlier this week. Patrols have now been stepped up in a bid to answer growing complaints from residents annoyed by the antics of the offenders. A police spokesman confirmed: “On Tuesday night PCSOs and police officers dispersed a large group of youths in Courtenay Park who had been drinking and smoking. “The youths were made to clear up there rubbish as best they could given poor light conditions. They were warned regarding their behaviour and the wider impact it was having on local residents and other users of the park.” Several complaints had been lodged by locals upset at the troublesome trend of anti-social behaviour in public places. “The Local team have been increasing their presence in these areas in a bid to discourage this sort of behaviour,” said the spokesman. And he warned: “We will not tolerate this behaviour. A more robust approach will be taken should there be a repeat of this behaviour. “The Newton Abbot neighbourhood team will continue to monitor all parks in an attempt to reduce anti-social behaviour.”