A CITY'S mayor has welcomed the success of a scheme to crack down on young troublemakers.

The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Stuart Martin, said youngsters behaving themselves had no need to worry about police powers to disperse groups of unruly youngsters under new legislation.

He has hailed the police action as a success.

He said: "My only concern is what happens when the new scheme comes to an end."

The powers for dispersing groups and sending under-16s home will end on June 30.

Under Government rules, police can only be given the powers for six months, and then have to apply to have them renewed.

It is not yet known if the police will re-apply for the powers.

Under the powers, police can instruct groups to leave an area. They can also tell people who do not live in the area not to return for a specified period, but not for more than 24 hours.

In addition, unaccompanied children under-16 have been banned from the centre of Ripon after 6pm.

The no-go area covers key city centre streets and areas including the Market Place, Fishergate, Queen Street, Allhallowgate, Westgate, Blossomgate and the Spa Gardens.

The legislation gives police the power to take home under-16s in the areas.

The 6pm-6am ban does not apply to youngsters accompanied by parents or responsible people aged over 18.

Before the curbs were introduced, Ripon's ancient nightly hornblowing had been disrupted by groups of young people gathering beneath the Market Place obelisk.

Inspector Craig Linton said dispersal orders were having the desired effect, with officers dispersing people when they see fit.

Following complaints about groups of youths causing problems in the city centre, police in Ripon took up the new powers on January 1.

Nine people have been arrested during the campaign.