POLICE are getting tough on anti-social behaviour in Kirkbymoorside.

Reports of anti-social behaviour in the market town have been on the increase, said Community Safety Sergeant Cliff Edens.

As a result officers are now targeting the market towns - especially on Friday and Saturday nights - and six people have been pin-pointed as ring leaders, he told a police and community group meeting in the town.

"We have enough evidence to go for acceptable behaviour contracts," said Sgt Edens.

The contracts are a new device introduced by the Government to clamp down on troublemakers.

If those responsible fail to adhere to the contracts, they can be issued with anti-social behaviour orders and face the threat of a court appearance.

Sgt Edens said eight letters had been sent to known troublemakers in Kirkbymoorside, but he urged the public to provide the police with evidence when incidents occurred.

Problem-solving groups had been set up in Kirkbymoorside and a public meeting was to be held at the Royal British Legion Club later this month to discuss the issues.

Sgt Edens said that in his experience, when a first letter was sent to parents complaining about the behaviour of the child and asking them to take action, there was a 90 per cent success rate.

Many parents then threatened to ground them and ban them from their social life as a punishment, he said.

The new community police officers serving Ryedale will be targeting known trouble areas in both Pickering and Kirkbymoorside, Sgt Edens said.

Updated: 09:59 Thursday, July 10, 2003