Father names and shames his tearaways on internet.

Byline: HUGH MUIR

A FATHER is so worried about his two children falling into a life of crime that he has named and shamed them on the internet.

David Forward says his 16-year-old daughter Samantha and son Tom, 13, have been caught up in drugs, joyriding and yobbish behaviour. The website for the picturesque Wiltshire market town of Malmesbury, normally home to community notices and older residents' nostalgic memories, is now full of essays by Mr Forward documenting his struggle with his teenage tearaways.

The pair almost died last year when they were passengers in a stolen car that crashed in a country lane. A few weeks ago Samantha was expelled after throwing spaghetti over her school's deputy headteacher.

Now 47-year-old single parent Mr Forward has posted his children's pictures, and those of others he says are yobs, on the web. He accuses a 19-year-old convicted criminal of being a "Fagin" character who has led children astray.

Mr Forward, who gave up his job to keep an eye on his children, said he had been let down by police and social services, and had acted through love.

"I did this as a last resort. I have tried talking to them, but they are so angry about so many things," he said.

"It's easy to turn a blind eye but they will get worse and worse."

He said there was not enough for young people to do in the town, but everyone, including his children, should take responsibility.

On the site he writes: "Children need to be force-fed standards, they need to be made to do right. British society is going to the dogs, all around us are foulmouthed obnoxious children like my son.

They are ... a small minority destroying all that is good for others."

Wiltshire police say they are concerned about possible disorder created by naming and shaming. But local councillors admit there have been problems with a gang of teenagers.