Website shows kids with guns and drugs

Photographs on the Aston Boiz 'N' Gyals web pages depict teenagers holding handguns and rifles, while others mimic gun poses and swear at the camera.

Offensive language also welcomes you to the site, and other graphics include a cannabis plant and ashtray.

It has been set up through host server Bebo under the pretence of being a rap/hip hop band, but also includes sections for photos, comments, blogs and polls - one of which asks for the visitor's favourite place to get drunk and high in Aston, Aughton and Swallownest.

The news comes after The Star exposed Sheffield City Soljaz site - which featured teenagers brandishing guns, knives and knuckledusters - which was shut down by police a few days later.

Now the force has pledged to work clamping down on other similar sites that are trying to glamourise and promote gun and knife crime and gang culture.

Temporary deputy chief constable Bob Dyson said: "South Yorkshire Police will continue to identify websites of concern and when appropriate speak to the service provider to get them closed down. Where there is evidence of firearms we will look to identify those individuals and if offences are being committed take further action."

And he added: "We would encourage parents to monitor their children's use of the internet in order to ensure that they don't find themselves at the wrong end of a police enquiry."

Coun Pat Wade, chairman of Aston cum Aughton Parish Council, said the council had not discussed the website but added: "The parish council would be appalled at images depicting violence anywhere, but especially in our parish."

Coun Wade admitted the problem of youngsters hanging around getting drunk in the area was one that had come up at meetings, but said work was being done to tackle it.

She said: "We work in conjunction with the safer neighbourhood team and the area forum and have been out and tried to talk to the kids. We are constantly monitoring the problem of nuisance youths, which very often involves drinking. One of our biggest concerns is that age of some of the people - with hearsay saying there can be children as young as 12 and 13 in the park drunk."