RESIDENTS are being urged to report young offenders to the police in an attempt to stop persistent anti-social behaviour.

In the latest incident, youths in Pickering carved graffiti into a wooden table in Riverside Walk, causing £200-worth of damage.

Community safety sergeant Cliff Edens said officers were working hard to combat the problem - but he appealed for help from residents who might have more information.

"The Ropery area is a problem to the police and we have done problem-solving exercises to tackle the issue," he said.

"We have put in measures, organising events such as discos for young people in the area.

"There has been a high-profile police presence in the area and that reduced incidences of nuisance for a couple of months, but we can't do that all the time."

Sgt Edens said police looked at CCTV footage in the town, but that covered only a certain amount of Pickering.

"These are young people who are causing these problems and unless they are stopped early they will continue to cause problems.

"We are urging residents who may know anything about the young people involved in this anti-social behaviour to contact the police to help us solve the problem."

Anyone with information is asked to phone the Ryedale Witness Line on 01723 509662.

Updated: 09:49 Friday, June 13, 2003