A TOWN blighted by anti-social behaviour can see a light at the end of the tunnel on the eve of a new ruling.

Colburn and Brough with St Giles will introduce the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) on March 19.

Police and council officers will now have the power to move groups on, fine them for unruly behaviour and prevent certain activities.

The order will include the Broadway area, Colburn Business Park, the Chase and Albemarle.

It will be in place for an initial two years and can be amended at any time.

More than 200 reports of youths behaving in an anti-social way around the Broadway shops area have been reported over the last nine months – affecting Colburn Library, residents and the business park.

Reports included underage drinking, verbal and racial abuse, intimidation of younger and older people, abusive language, aggressive behaviour and large groups of youths congregating.

Eggs and other objects have been thrown at – and into – shops and businesses.

Only last week the library had to be closed after police were called for anti-social behaviour offences.

The PSPO will ban behaviour that causes harassment, annoyance, distress or harm and congregating in groups of three or more youths under the age of 17 behaving anti-socially.

It will also ban threatening or abusive acts, and the throwing of objects likely to cause damage or injury to people, animals or buildings.

The order prohibits the continued consumption of alcohol when asked to stop by an authorised officer.

Once an order is made it becomes a crime to do anything prohibited in the order.

Offences can be dealt with through the courts or with fixed on-the-spot fines.

Concerns were aired last May at a meeting with Colburn Town Council.

Richmondshire District Council’s corporate board gave the order the go-ahead in January after a public consultation was held by Safer Richmondshire Hub in October.

North Yorkshire Police increased patrols, resulting in dispersal orders – banning people from certain areas.

ColburnWatch was launched as a new partnership between the community and North Yorkshire Police.

They secured funding from the Communities Opportunities Fund and set up a twitter account @colburnwatch.

Residents have the chance to look at the details of the order and the area it covers at www.richmondshire.gov.uk