COMMUNITY safety leaders believe a groundbreaking pilot scheme targeting gangs of youths in a North Yorkshire market town could help residents across the county.

Senior officers in Northallerton will soon launch a scheme that enables officers to break up groups of two or more people suspected of causing trouble in public that is not a specific criminal offence.

Inspector Simon Lovell, who is behind the two-month dispersal order project, said other police commanders, including those in York, Ryedale and Selby, were watching the trial with interest.

He said: "We have made the application as a means of nipping in the bud a small but growing public order issue in the town involving particular gangs of youths who seem determined to cause disorder.

"The primary use of these powers will be to deter these youths from causing a nuisance, and will only be used for that specific purpose.

"We have deliberately chosen the school summer holidays for the trial period as this is when it is likely to be most effective."

The dispersal orders, which will be effective in Northallerton and Romanby from July 1 to August 31, have been made possible under the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003.

The move will be backed up with extra high-visibility patrols by police and community support officers around the town, and a drive to educate youngsters and parents about their responsibilities.

The area, like many parts of North Yorkshire, suffers from vandalism, nuisance and low-level yobbery caused by groups of youths who congregate outside shops and in public places like parks.

Chris Fields, of Hambleton District Council, said the legislation helped the council and police target "quality of life" issues for residents.

She said: "The effects of the order will be assessed in due course and may lead to further applications being made in other parts of the county."

Updated: 10:46 Wednesday, June 23, 2004