PICTURES of the city's worst yobs could be put through people's letterboxes in a major crackdown on teenage criminals.
The name and shame campaign could be launched on Wearside after a major legal ruling.
It follows a judgment in the High Court in London, that allows councils to print pictures of hooligans who have been handed down anti-social behaviour orders (Asbo
s) by the courts.
The tactic could be the ideal way to get communities involved in the fight against crime, reckons one city councillor.
Bryn Sidaway, a councillor in Hendon, said: "It's a damn good idea that people are aware of exactly who the troublemakers are in their community. Making people more aware of the Asbos might make the minority more law-abiding and observant."
Victims' groups also welcomed the proposals.
Mike Maud, area director of Northumbria Victim Support, said: "If this means providing communities with the appropriate information to ensure orders are properly managed and policed, then it is something we could support."
Wearside is already recognised as a ground-breaker in using Asbos to cut crime.
Sunderland police has the tough orders slapped on 11 prolific offenders, which can be used to ban some offenders from estates where they cause trouble, and from congregating in groups.
If offenders breach conditions of the tough orders they face up to five years in jail.
The court orders are a successful crime-fighting tool, say police.
They are considering telling communities who the worst troublemakers are after Brent Council this week won a test case that had been lodged by civil rights group Liberty.
It claimed that the council and the Metropolitan Police were acting unlawfully in publishing leaflets giving details of three youths given anti-social behaviour orders by courts.
A judge dismissed the Liberty challenge, however.
Northumbria Police said only one publicity campaign had been run so far in the force area, and that was in Newcastle.
The spokeswoman said: "Northumbria Police has always believed that publicity has a role to play in the effective implementation of Asbos but each case has to be decided on its merits."
The Government says police and councils have to work more closely in tackling crime, especially anti-social behaviour.
Judith Hay, Sunderland Youth Offending Service manager said: "We are constantly exploring new ways of dealing with any type of unacceptable actions.
"And, while there are no current plans to introduce a naming and shaming policy, that does not mean it is something we would rule out for the future."
