THE first anti-social behaviour orders in Richmondshire and Hambleton have been issued to six youths who caused havoc at Colburn.

Nine youths were arrested and interviewed by police after being caught on CCTV harassing people and causing criminal damage on November 25. Three were cautioned, and six were charged and bailed to appear in court, where they admitted a variety of damage and public order offences.

The offenders, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Northallerton Youth Court for sentencing on Tuesday of last week and each was made the subject of a two-year anti-social behaviour order. Conditions attached to the orders mean they could be arrested, and possibly imprisoned, if they cause harassment, alarm or distress, use threatening or insulting behaviour, intimidate people or gather threateningly in groups of more than two. They could also be arrested if they incite others to act in this way.

Sgt Richard O'Neil, of Richmond police, said: "This is the first anti-social behaviour order put on any person in the Richmondshire and Hambleton area, and we feel proud that this is as a direct result of the hard work by Richmondshire community safety team. We hope this message gets across the whole of Richmondshire that the police and public will not stand for anti-social behaviour and will act to prevent it."