TOUGH police powers to disperse intimidating gangs of youths have been given the green light in parts of York.

Parts of New Earswick, Heworth and Huntington, which have been plagued by nuisance youths throwing stones, vandalising phone boxes and intimidating members of the public in a two-year reign of terror, will become "dispersal zones" on April 1.

Last week, the Evening Press told how yobs had made Huntington residents' lives a misery by turning the area into a "war zone".

The six-month dispersal order, approved by City of York Council, means any group of people aged under 16 who are harassing or intimidating the public after 9pm can be arrested, fined up to £5,000 or sent to a young offenders' institiute for six months.

PC Paul Beckwith, who applied for the order under the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003, said: "I see this as being about reclaiming our streets and public places for the enjoyment of anyone who is law abiding and prepared to behave in a way which is acceptable to others."

He said the order could only be implemented in areas where there was enough evidence, or the police would risk losing the application altogether.

He said: "It is inevitable that residents living outside these zones may be apprehensive about how they will impact upon them. I have made it clear from the start that I do not intend this work to be a means of moving a problem.

"It is about changing behaviour. The orders do not ban people from gathering, but they do give police extra powers where those gathering behave antisocially."

He said police would be monitoring places nearby to ensure that youths were not just displaced to other areas. Signs declaring the zones will be put up on lampposts and notice boards.

Last year, a judge decided part of the dispersal powers -which forced under-16s to go home - was unlawful. But officers can still disband gangs and arrest yobs if they persistently make a nuisance of themselves.

New Earswick Parish Council chairman Don Crawford, who supported PC Beckwith's application, said: "Anything that is going to make the life of residents of the parish a bit better as far as antisocial behaviour is concerned is welcomed with open arms.

"We hope it will make the village a bit quieter and more liveable for people."

Jackie Dale, head of housing and community services at the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, provided the police with a list of incidents. She said: "We are very happy to support North Yorkshire Police in implementing the dispersal order in New Earswick, and hope that it will send a message that antisocial behaviour is not acceptable in this community."

Heworth ward councillor Viv Kind said: "I certainly don't want to suggest that all young are a problem, but we do have a problem around the Monkton Road area with youths vandalising garages, throwing stones, and threatening older members of the community."

Coun Keith Hyman, who represents Huntington and New Earswick ward, said: "New Earswick has suffered a lot over the last few years, so I'm delighted to support both of these zones."

A similar dispersal zone in Clifton was hailed a success last year.

Updated: 09:35 Wednesday, March 22, 2006