THE senior policeman responsible for bringing the first dispersal order to York has warned that police can still break up gangs of troublemakers.

Officers brought in the powers to target groups of young people making life difficult for residents in a small number of hotspots.

The Clifton dispersal area was initially hailed as a success by residents as extra patrols cleared the streets of problem groups.

Earlier this year, a London judge decided that part of the order - the power to force under-16s to go home - was unlawful.

But Sergeant Richard Crinnion said officers could still disband gangs and arrest yobs if they persistently made a nuisance of themselves.

He said: "The court ruling only applied to forcibly taking under-16s home after 9pm. It doesn't stop us targeting gangs.

"It's a matter of communication. Some residents are asking if the dispersal zone still stands. My answer is an emphatic 'yes'.

"People have seen an improvement in the number of antisocial incidents involving young people and the zone remains in force until midnight on November 30."

Residents had complained of young people gathering in the parade of shops in Crichton Avenue, at Ashton Park and in Shipton Street, near the disused school buildings.

Ros Smith, who has been involved with Clifton community watch for nine years, said the dispersal zone had made a difference and also reassured residents.

She said: "It's important that people are told the zone is still in force, especially at this time of year when it's getting darker in the evenings.

"It's been a lot better and I hear fewer examples of problems with people hanging around.

"Some parts of Clifton are sometimes given a bad name, but it's quite unnecessary. We get a few problems with antisocial behaviour, but tell me an area that doesn't these days."

In the first seven weeks of the curfew zone, 26 youths were taken home, and 21 groups broken up.

The six-month dispersal order means any group of two or more people under 16 who are harassing or intimidating the public in certain streets after 9pm can be arrested, fined and even jailed.

The zone covers all streets, alleyways and access routes bounded by: Water Lane, Burdyke Avenue, Burton Green, Rowntree Avenue, Crichton Avenue, Field View, Filey Terrace, Scarborough Terrace and Bootham/Clifton.

Updated: 09:55 Thursday, October 13, 2005