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The Youth Offending Team has been formed involving the police, social services, probation officers, education and health workers under the new Crime and Disorder Act.

Powers available under the act include making young offenders make amends for their crimes and training orders to help break the cycle of offending.

There will also be schemes for parents and carers to help them discipline tearaways and prevent them becoming hardened criminals.

A study of reported crime across Manchester in 1998 found the most common type of disorder was juvenile nuisance varying from youths congregating on corners to major disturbances and domestic disputes.

The team will be responsible for drawing up strategies to reduce crime and disorder and prevent outbreaks that have seen gangs battling on the streets in Blackley.

Attempts to quell trouble have had short-term success but police admit the problem often moves elsewhere as happened when hordes of displaced teenagers began congregating at Sainsbury's.

The police have now appointed a youth officer who has been working with young people in hot spots across north Manchester.

Manchester's chief education officer David Johnston welcomed the joint initiative but acknowledged the conflicting priorities of the agencies involved and the difficulties staff may face.

He said: "The youth service and colleagues in social services have a duty to serve young people to prioritise and protect the trust and relationship with young people.

"At the same time staff have a duty to serve the public. Youth workers do make a significant contribution at a local level to the quality of life of both young and older residents."