YOUNG Pilton Derry, daubed on the walls of the boarded-up flats, harks back to the 1970s when sectarian gangs battled among themselves on the tough north Edinburgh estate. The teenage gangs who use the name now, however, represent a modern phenomenon considered by many to be far more sinister.

Intimidation, vandalism, break-ins, threatening behaviour and assaults are listed by police as the problems they face from youths.

One resident, James Martin, said: ''The kids in these gangs don't know the rules like they used to. They use knives and extendable coshes, and they don't care who they get.''

Jack McConnell, first minister, and Margaret Curran, communities minister, launched the anti-social legislation yesterday during a visit to the area.

They met community wardens who have recently begun patrolling the estate as well as residents. The new powers such as tagging were welcomed by parents and young people on the estate.

Petra Airlie said her 18-year-old son Joe, in and out of jail since he was 16, following a troubled childhood, could have had the care he needed had tagging been an option then.

However, Betty McVay, a

Pilton resident and community representative, said: ''I think they should be putting more money into providing facilities for young folk and putting more money into youth work.

''But not tagging, for God's sake. You wouldn't do that to an animal, what would you want to do that to a youngster for?''