TOWN councillors are considering special measures in an attempt to stamp out trouble in Bedale Hall park.

The question of curfew and warning signs was raised at the council meeting on Monday after an incident involving about 50 teenagers, which marred the aftermath of the bonfire and firework display on November 1.

They twice broke down a security fence erected around the embers of the fire in an attempt to deter vandals.

A "dusk to dawn" curfew sign for the park had already been considered by the town council amenities committee before the incident because of continuing concern about public nuisance and vandalism in the grounds and the children's play area, but Coun Mike Batty said on Monday he would strongly oppose this. He doubted the council could enforce such a blanket measure and said: "There is such a thing as the Public Disorder Act and public nuisance. There is plenty of legislation for the police to be able to act, but we have been told they have not got the manpower.

"I don't see why the rest of the people of Bedale should suffer from a closure notice just because of a handful of idiots. If someone wants to go in the park it is for the community, not just for 50 morons."

Deputy mayor Coun Ellen Dunning said: "The management of young people is at issue. If we are going to have any kind of notice it should be a warning against disorderly behaviour after 10pm."

Coun Ray Calvert, the mayor, thought a dusk to dawn curfew sign should apply to the children's play area.

It was agreed the town council should work with the police to try to decide on the wording of signs and their locations.

But John Noone, chairman of the bonfire committee and Bedale Hall management committee, said later that he would favour a general dusk to dawn curfew on the park.

Mr Noone said if there was to a bonfire and fireworks display in the grounds next year there needed to be a curfew and a police presence throughout. The town council should also press Hambleton District Council for the implementation of CCTV coverage as soon as possible.

He said: "As chairman of the hall management committee I am also well used to the niggling problem of youngsters breaking windows, damaging the children's play area and generally causing a nuisance. "

* Police defend handling of bonfire incident: page 3