YORK had a relatively quiet Mischief Night, although lamp-posts were pushed over and a window was smashed in part of the city.

Officers from York's community policing team scoured the city throughout the night on a special patrol of the city's "youth hotspots".

But Operation Cinema was more like a silent movie than an action film, as the predicted chaos never materialized.

The only problems encountered by the six-strong team, led by Sergeant Ian Illing-worth, were in Woodthorpe.

A gang of 20 or 30 teenagers pushed over five lamp-posts in Speybank and along an alleyway off Helmsdale, at about 9pm. They later smashed a window in Girvan Close.

The culprits had fled the scene by the time the patrol arrived to check the damage.

Community officer PC Lee Fickling held a barbecue for more than 50 teenagers at the Molys Kitchen youth club, in Dringhouses, to keep them out of trouble.

"It's a great way to keep them off the streets," he said.

"There was a fabulous atmosphere and a much higher turn-out than normal."

Earlier, the patrol stopped two youths in Bad Bargain Lane, as they were carrying a bag which it was thought could have contained fireworks or eggs.

Instead, the bag contained a pair of swimming trunks and a towel.

"It has been a quiet night," Sergeant Illingworth said.

"I expected it to be much busier. There have been a lot of diversionary measures put in place like the barbecue, which have taken people off the streets."

Updated: 13:59 Friday, November 05, 2004