A TOUGH scheme to tackle antisocial behaviour by young people could be introduced across the whole of York and North Yorkshire if it proves successful.

Police in Ryedale are set to introduce the new system on July 7, targeting parents with youngsters who are found in "problem" areas.

Under the scheme, a parent is issued with a letter telling them their child was found in a problem location, such as the Ropery in Pickering.

Community safety officer Sgt Cliff Edens said the programme, which was the subject of a successful trial in Hambleton and will be monitored in North Yorkshire Police's Eastern Area before going force-wide, gives the police new powers to highlight an antisocial behaviour problem in its early stages.

"If an officer witnesses or has evidence of antisocial behaviour, an initial warning letter is sent out," he said. "If that youth re-offends within the next two years, causing antisocial behaviour, the parent is then sent a second letter telling them we will be informing the appropriate agencies."

Sgt Edens said the police, schools, housing associations, youth offending team and social services could all be alerted to the problem.

If a third letter has to be sent out because the youngster comes to notice again, he said, a meeting chaired by the police and involving the parent, child and relevant agencies will be held to see if anything can be done.

"The scheme was given a trial in Stockport and they are saying that 90 per cent of parents who receive the first letter tend not to get a second letter.

"In Slingsby we gave a trial to the letter-writing route with certain young people, and, according to our officers, these young people have not come to notice again."

Sgt Edens said he was working closely with youth action officer PC Stewart Ashton, preparing for when the system was fully operational next month.

The parental letters complemented established routes already in force, he said.

Police can issue Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs)to work with youngsters on what levels of behaviour they want to achieve, or Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) can be pursued through the courts, restricting where and at what times youngsters can be out.

Updated: 08:22 Friday, June 20, 2003