POLICE will not be "heavy-handed" with new powers to crack down on nuisance youngsters.

That was the pledge given to Northallerton councillors this week as the town's officers became the first in the county to have dispersal orders at their fingertips.

Insp Simon Lovell told Monday's meeting of the town council that police wanted young people to come into the town like everyone else.

"But we don't want them to cause problems and spoil Northallerton," he said. "However, we will make sure we are not heavy-handed in our approach."

Coun Sally Anderson welcomed the pledge.

"The last thing we want is a counter-reaction," she said.

North Yorkshire police and Hambleton Council are piloting the first dispersal orders in the county. They will be effective in Northallerton and Romanby for two months from July 1.

The orders are a new power giving 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. Officers can make those involved leave the area.

Insp Lovell said: "We want to nip in the bud a small but growing public order issue in the town involving particular gangs of youths who seem determined to cause disorder.

"The primary use of these powers will be to deter these youths from causing a nuisance and will only be used for that purpose."

Insp Lovell said police had deliberately picked the school holidays for the trial period as this was when it was most likely to be effective.

As part of the process, there will be a campaign of education and awareness with an increase in high-visibility patrols around the town.

The council was told that, rather than target trouble hot spots, police had opted to cover the whole of Northallerton and Romanby.

He stressed the orders would concern "low-level nuisance" but added: "This type of activity can still cause a fear of crime and put people off coming into the town, spoiling the environment for everyone.

"We want to nip in the bud any problems which might be ahead this summer."

People who refused to disperse could face a maximum penalty of three months in prison and under-16s could be taken home to their parents.

During the summer, leaflets would be distributed explaining the new orders as well as giving details of entertainment and activities lined up.

After Coun Anderson asked what kind of behaviour qualified as nuisance, Insp Lovell said this was when people were caused harassment or distress.

"But this is of the low-level sort, such as back-chatting and swearing but not actually getting into fights," he said.

The effects of the order would be assessed and could lead to further applications being made in other parts of the county.