yesterday tabled in the House of Assembly.

And Development and Opportunity Minister Jerome Dill said: "We have in Bermuda a situation where some of our young people -- a small number but significant -- are behaving in a way which is anti-social.'' But he said the new Parental Responsibility Act -- which can land parents with a bill of up to $10,000 for vandalism -- would tackle the problem at the roots.

Also included is the legal power to force parents of offending children to attend counselling or guidance sessions.

And Police will be able to apply for an anti-social behaviour order to crack down on any person aged ten or over who "has acted in a manner likely to cause harrassment, alarm or distress to two or more people who are not members of his household.'' Children who break an order could land in custody for up to six months or face a hefty fine.

And youngsters found to be vandals or trouble-makers can also be slapped with a curfew order -- which means they cannot be allowed out in particular areas after a specified hour without being accompanied by a responsible person aged 21 or more.

An order can also be sought for parents of youngsters who play truant from school.

Mr. Dill added: "The whole thrust of the act is, through a number of means, to call upon the adult to actually supervise their children.

"If a child commits an offence the adult is then responsible for the child.

"We will make the parent responsible for the child with a view to safeguarding ourselves.'' The new bill is in two parts -- prevention of youth crime and disorder plus liability for parents for a child's "wilful misconduct'' which results in property damage.

Prevention includes the introduction of new court orders for adults and young offenders "arising out of youth disorder and anti-social behaviour.'' Jerome Dill