EXMOUTH police said they are prepared to work with Littleham youths to set up local activities and clubs in an attempt to keep them off the streets and out of trouble.

EXMOUTH police said they are prepared to work with Littleham youths to set up local activities and clubs in an attempt to keep them off the streets and out of trouble.

In June, Nelson Drive teenagers Roxy Newberry, 15, and Jayne Mernagh, 16, hit on the idea of a club to help tackle vandalism and crime being carried out by bored youths.

The police backed the idea but a lack of interest and help from the wider community meant their brainwave remains at the planning stage.

Littleham community support officer Nicola Payne said she received daily emails offering government cash for youth projects and was willing to help the young people of Littleham to secure the funds for the area.

PCSO Payne said the youths needed to put in a greater effort if they wanted to arrange activities or set up clubs.

She said the community needed to work together to combat the anti-social behaviour problems and find alternatives to occupy bored youths.

She said: "We had a meeting with the young people, who told us they wanted a youth club. We had nine people turn up.

"We have now reached a dead end because we don't have the people to run it

"There's a huge amount of money out there for young people, but they have to apply for it.

"Officers can help with the application.