CATAPULT-WIELDING teen agers who have been terrorising two North Yorkshire market towns have been warned to expect serious action if they are caught by police.

Small gangs of youths have been spotted in both Northallerton and Richmond, using marbles as ammunition.

Windows were smashed on a coach parked on The Green in Richmond on Tuesday, while a gang of youths was also seen firing at a conservatory at the rear of a house on the town's Maison Dieu yesterday morning.

No one was hurt in either incident although, in a separate attack, a man was injured after he was hit by a missile as he drove through Northallerton.

"Missiles fired by catapult are potentially lethal," said Sergeant Glen Gudgeon yesterday.

"Not only is there a chance of killing someone but, if they are fired at passing traffic, there is a chance a driver taking evasive action may hit someone else.

"Although they are risking a charge of manslaughter, they could also face charges of assault if they were to hit someone - and that could still mean a custodial sentence."

Police have issued description of three youths they hope to trace in connection with the Richmond incidents.

All three were white, one was wearing a baseball cap and a grey fleece top, black jeans and white trainers, one wore a rain-proof jacket and the other a blue anorak.

Anyone who may have seen them around The Green at about 12.30pm on Tuesday, or the Maison Dieu area at about 10am yesterday, is asked to contact Richmond police or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.

Meanwhile, Bedale police are hoping for the help of the public in tracing youths who have been posing as charity workers in an attempt to con money out of the town's shopkeepers.

A number of similar incidents were reported at a recent meeting of the town council, where traders were urged to report any suspicious callers to the police immediately.

"It saddens me as these youths are detracting from the work of genuine charity workers who may find themselves subject to unwarranted suspicion in future," said Sgt Gudgeon.

He said: "Obtaining money by deception is also a serious offence, which carries a maximum ten-year prison term or a substantial fine."