POLICE are clamping down on troublemakers in the run-up to Christmas.

A three-month dispersal order, the first of its kind in the Scarborough area, will begin in Eastfield tomorrow.

The order is being piloted by the police, acting with the borough council and the local Safer Communities Partnership.

The starting date has been chosen to coincide with Bonfire Night and will give police added powers to deal with nuisance.

It will include Links Walk, High Street, High Moor Way, Moor Lane, Westway, Lowfield, and Burnside.

Dispersal orders are a power under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, which gives the police the authority to disperse groups of two or more people who are together in a public place and who are causing, or likely to cause, trouble, and to make them leave that area.

Failure to comply with those directions can lead to offenders being arrested.

Inspector Tony Quinn said: "We have made the application as a means of tackling a growing public order issue in the Eastfield area involving particular gangs of youths who seem determined to cause disorder and disturbance to residents and the general public. For example, on Sunday night a gang of 20 to 30 youths attacked a bus by throwing eggs at the driver.

"The primary use of these powers will be to prevent these youths from congregating and to deter them from anti-social behaviour."

Partnership spokesman Drew Fussey said: "This new legislation enables the council and the police to work closely in partnership targeting quality of life issues for the residents of Scarborough borough.

"It forms part of the Government's legislative drive against the blight of anti-social behaviour."