POLICE warned today that few York residents would escape nuisance behaviour as annual celebrations clash with school holidays.

Officers are bracing themselves for a busy fortnight of unruly disorder and petty lawlessness as Hallowe'en, Bonfire Night and Mischief Night occur during the school half-term.

Residents in the South Bank area of York have all ready reported problems with egg-throwing youths damaging cars and property during the dark evenings.

But the police have warned that the celebrations are no excuse for illegal behaviour and the culprits will be brought to book.

Last year's festivities were marred when vandals armed with large fireworks targeted phone boxes and wheelie bins, causing damage estimated at thousands of pounds.

Chief Superintendent Tim Madgwick said police resources would be stretched as the number of calls from the public increase.

He said: "It is true that few York residents will be unaffected by these two weeks, whether it is noisy fireworks scaring their pets, large groups of youths on the streets or eggs splattered on property.

"Although it might just seem like harmless fun to some young people, this behaviour is antisocial and genuinely intimidating to residents and we will not tolerate it."

But he stressed that this did not mean every resident will become a victim of crime.

York Police have joined forces with shops to try and restrict the sale of eggs, flour, matches and other fire-lighting equipment to those aged under 16.

Extra patrols of officers, community support officers and special constables will also be working in the city on the busiest nights.

Youth clubs have also been given a small amount of money to pay for diversionary activities such as discos and barbecues to try and get young people off the streets.

Graham Buckle, of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said officers are visiting shops to advise on firework sale law and schools to warn of the dangers of misusing them.

"We certainly hope that the combination of the legislation and the group approach of organisations including the police, fire brigade and trading standards will give York a quieter November," he said.

On Mischief Night last year more than 50 calls were made to police as fireworks were thrown at people, eggs thrown at homes and bins, and letterboxes set on fire.

Complaints varied from fireworks being attached to skateboards and fired down streets to food being thrown at front doors and windows being smashed.

Updated: 10:15 Wednesday, October 20, 2004