Selby youngsters who cause a nuisance by letting off fireworks could find themselves under police curfew.

The town's new police chief, Inspector David Hunt, today announced a crackdown on fireworks being discharged in streets and other public places after complaints from fed-up residents.

Police have received reports of bangers and rockets being let off, some of them in porches and driveways of unsuspecting householders.

Some residents say that with still three weeks to go to Bonfire Night, they are having to put their petrified dogs in cupboards under the stairs.

Others reported that elderly people were "frightened to death" after hearing loud bangs outside their homes.

Selby's youth action officer, PC Andy Patchett, said letting off fireworks in public places was classed as anti-social behaviour.

He said they would not hesitate to pursue any offences through the courts, with a view to an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) being imposed.

He said: "It could result in curfews and other far-reaching restrictions on young people.

"This type of behaviour is very distressing for residents, particularly the elderly and also pets. It can also cause horrific injuries to the children themselves."

Selby councillor Doreen Davies said she had received numerous complaints from elderly residents on the Abbots Road estate.

She said: "These bangers sound more like detonators and are going off until two o'clock in the morning."

Jean Allerton, chairman of the Abbots Road Tenants and Residents' Association, said: "It's dreadful. A banger went off the other night that sounded like an explosion. It nearly woke the whole estate up.

"I would like to see a ban on the sale of fireworks until the day before Guy Fawkes night."

Insp Hunt said he would also appeal to shopkeepers not to sell fireworks to under-16s.

It was illegal, and shop owners could face fines of up to £5,000 and a maximum jail sentence of six months.

He said the letting off of fireworks in public places could lead to prosecutions for criminal damage and public order offences.

Updated: 15:07 Wednesday, October 16, 2002