MORE yobs face being named in their communities so that members of the public can help enforce the law.

Residents in Tang Hall are this weekend receiving leaflets detailing an Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO) placed on Robin Allan, 17, who has admitted a string of nuisance acts.

The teenage tearaway could face a prison sentence if he is caught breaking the strict terms of the order, which prevent him visiting certain places and meeting former acquaintances. Chief Inspector Howard Harding, of York Police, said officers would consider taking similar steps again if they felt it was in the public interest.

But he said the rights of the individual, both in terms of safety and privacy, had to be carefully balanced with enforcing the law.

He said: "Robin Allan had many opportunities to rectify his behaviour, but he chose not take them and the court has made this order against him.

"If people are going to behave the way that he did they must realise this could be a consequence of their actions."

The leaflets, detailing what restrictions have been placed on Allan, tell people to contact the police if he breaches any of them.

Steve Waddington, of City of York Council, said each individual case would be judged on its merits before similar action is taken again.

Anyone who sees Robin Allan breaking the terms of his ASBO should contact the police on 01904 631321 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Updated: 09:32 Saturday, December 20, 2003