CRIME-FIGHTING officials have pledged to "keep a close eye" on a family of travellers who have blighted the lives of York and Ryedale residents.

The warning comes after four "family heads" of the 13-strong Smith family were arrested for breaching the strict terms of a landmark antisocial behaviour order (ASBO).

A flood of complaints from residents in York and Ryedale last year prompted antisocial behaviour officer Fred McManus, pictured, to apply for a court order banning them from a ten-square mile area of Ryedale, and preventing them returning to within a mile of any previously occupied site within 12 months.

The ASBO, one of the first to target an entire family unit, was granted in August 2005 - but within six months the Smiths had breached it. They were arrested for camping on a site near a former camp in Strensall. They were on private land, without permission from the owner.

Mr McManus, of community safety partnership Safer Ryedale, pledged to keep monitoring the family, to make sure there are no further breaches.

He said: "I'm aware when they arrive (in an area), and I go once a week and remind them of the conditions.

"This time, they broke the rules when they were in the York area.

" I received a number of complaints and they were arrested, and moved on to Scotchman Lane, near Flaxton. It's now just a question of monitoring.

!I have already been to see them, and I will continue to go back and ensure that when they move on they leave the area clean and tidy."

The Smiths were today still in Flaxton with their three caravans. They plan to move next to Dunnington - under the terms of their ASBO, they must be gone by Wednesday, February 8.

Harry Plews, chairman of the Flaxton Green Gait Keepers - traditional guardians of the historic village - said: "In the past, travellers used to knock on my door and ask for water for their horses.

"I would say they could stay for two days as long as they cleared everything up - and they did.

"But that didn't happen with the Smiths. ASBOs work to a certain degree, but they aren't 100 per cent effective.

" I'm always getting calls about the Smiths."

The four arrested Smiths must answer bail on February 21 - but they are hoping to receive a caution.

Family member Robin Smith, 23, told the Evening Press: "We try to follow the rules of the ASBO, but it is hard to remember exactly where we've been and work out what a mile away is.

"Most of us were born around Malton and we have other family here, so we want to stay. I've never thought about leaving this lifestyle or getting a council house."

See Thursday's Evening Press for a full interview with members of the Smith family.

Updated: 09:59 Wednesday, February 01, 2006