PARENTS will be forced to face up to the out-of-control antics of their teenagers during a major summer blitz by the police.

Senior officers say they’re ‘deeply concerned’ about reports of youngsters, some as young as 11, drinking, taking drugs, fighting, urinating in public and vandalising private property in a number of open air ‘party hotspots’ around Inverclyde.

Hundreds of youngsters have been flocking to gatherings set up on social media, with places like Pladda fields in Port Glasgow and Inverkip beach, at the other end of the district, proving magnets for them. 

In one incident a young girl was found unconscious and there are reports that parents are even dropping their children off to take part in the gatherings.

Now under a get-tough clampdown mums and dads will be summoned to collect the teenagers who are found in vulnerable states — and they will face questions from the authorities.

As the school holidays begin today, Inverclyde’s local area commander says he has to act because young people are putting themselves in danger and causing problems for other people.

Chief Inspector Elliot Brown said: “I would ask all parents to be aware of where their children are over the summer holidays, and of the possible dangers they could be putting themselves in.

“The safety of young people — together with the prevention of anti-social behaviour which the minority seem intent on causing — is a priority for us. Together with our colleagues in key agencies we are planning a series of joint operations.

“These are aimed at identifying young people engaging in anti-social behaviour or finding themselves in potentially risky situations, and taking early steps to prevent further escalation or danger.

“I want to reassure residents in the area of our commitment.”

Under the crackdown, police, community wardens and others will be actively on the lookout for young people considered to be a danger to themselves, engaging in anti-social behaviour.

Parents will immediately be contacted and asked to collect their child.

The authorities will then demonstrate the dangers their kids have placed themselves in — and social workers will be called upon it this is deemed necessary.

It comes after police and council officials faced a surge in the number of complaints from residents living near trouble hotspots in Port Glasgow, Greenock, Gourock and Inverkip.

At Pladda fields residents have been verbally abused and left scared to leave their homes, fires have damaged large swathes of land and young people have been found drunk, injured and even unconscious.

Similar incidents have taken place at the Ravenscraig Hospital grounds and at Overton fields in Greenock while passengers on trains have been intimidated as groups travel to the parties. 

Police say the old bomb shelters next to Hilltop Crescent in Gourock have also attracted large numbers of youths who have allegedly damaged cars nearby, stolen and torched bins and caused havoc in the area.

At Inverkip beach there has been frequent disorder, especially on weekend evenings.

The popular family spot has been taken over by up to 70 youths at a time with numbers of them drinking, fighting and leaving a trail of mess behind.

As well as the local officers and community wardens, personnel from British Transport Police, Scottish Fire & Rescue, HM Coastguard, Inverclyde Council’s social protection team and youth services will now produce a co-ordinated response to the problem.

Local authority education and communities convenor Councillor Terry Loughran said: “Clearly there are young people who pose a danger to themselves and who can become vulnerable to the inappropriate behaviour of others.

“Community safety is also a priority — people are entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of their home environment and large groups behaving in a disorderly manner will not be tolerated.”

Inspector Gary Brown of British Transport Police added: “Safeguarding of young people is an absolute priority and I appeal to parents to ensure that you know where your children are during the summer evenings.

“We will continue to work closely with our rail industry colleagues and Police Scotland to ensure that passengers and rail staff can use the rail network without encountering anti-social behaviour or disorder.”