ANTI-SOCIAL children in the Stokesley and Great Ayton area are being targeted by the police with the aid of information from other agencies.

Officers told a public meeting at Kirkby on Thursday of last week that court orders could be imposed on youngsters, or eviction orders could be served on parents, to tackle serious problems.

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and other types of orders were available from courts to control those aged under 18. Youngsters could be banned from locations or made to abide by special contracts, if courts had evidence.

Residents, councillors and Neighbourhood Watch members quizzed leading officers about policing across the Stokesley area.

The dominant theme was bad behaviour by a minority of children, whose victims were often the elderly.

Insp Mark Davies began by speaking about police staffing levels.

"It has been a difficult year. We've had a few vacancies but the situation has improved. There are more police officers in North Yorkshire, but a lot are in training.

"I'm quite fortunate because I've got two new probationers. Their training takes two years and you'll see them out and about. Another officer transferred from Scarborough and will be trained by June. They are beginning to filter onto the ground, which is where I want them.

"Hambleton is not a high crime area, though there is a problem with people's fear of crime. I also know people are concerned about youth issues. I'm not going to give you lots of data. I want you to question me."

PC Jackie Burton, a youth action officer with 28 years' service, spoke next. "I have been in the youth justice system for ten years. Through dealing with offenders, I realised we lacked information.

"Each organisation did its own thing. Collated evidence is vital. We cannot act without information on individuals, or those responsible for them," she said.

"We have now set up a system designed by Cleveland police. Numerous agencies share information from officers on the beat. It was highly successful in East Cleveland, where there were 1,600 complaints about bad behaviour. After 100 warning letters were sent out, the problem greatly improved and just one ASBO was needed.

"We write to parents, social workers, schools or whoever, to see why problems arise. If necessary, various orders and contracts can be used to enforce our work.

"I must stress, this is not just a police problem. It is down to everybody. We want sustainable solutions. Young children are not orphans. They have parents and guardians."

As an example of action, she said Broadacres Housing Association was serving an eviction order at one address.

Asked about Stokesley School's responsibility for youth work in Great Ayton, she said: "North Yorkshire's community education department is involved. Phil Watt at Stokesley School is well aware of the policies and will help us.

"We want youth workers to target specific locations and individuals. Hopefully, we'll get funding for extra workers."

Coun Jacquie Griffiths asked if detached youth workers were actually working in Stokesley, but there was some uncertainty among the panel.

"Children, many of whom are aged seven and eight, run around in gangs of 20, creating a nuisance."

Insp Davies replied: "I talked to youth workers at Stokesley School youth club. They are working in Stokesley and were in Great Ayton about a year ago. Problems change and children move on."

On police foot patrols, he said: "There is a big push for these at problem areas during specific times. I get frustrated when officers are called to other incidents, because foot patrols don't get done."

Coun Caroline Seymour, who was chairman of the meeting, said Stokesley residents at Hebron Road, The Paddock and The Acres (at the Tameside estate) all experienced problems but identification of youngsters was difficult.

Coun John Fletcher described problems in Great Ayton and announced that Hambleton Council had been awarded beacon status for its community safety partnership.

Coun Jeff Mawer, of Kirkby Parish Council, was annoyed that the police did not reply to a council letter. Communication was vital.

"Neighbourhood Watch is a very effective system. If we are not going to have village bobbies, we should embrace modern technology to increase communication."

Insp Davies supported police attendance at parish councils, despite the reservations of some senior officers elsewhere .

On Neighbourhood Watch, he said: "There are 136 Stokesley co-ordinators covering 2,000 homes - the highest figure in North Yorkshire."

Some residents criticised the 41pc council tax increase to strengthen police funding. But he said this would pay for extra officers, an armed response team, and counterbalance historic under-funding.

There was disappointment that no crime statistics were provided. He said some annual targets were not achieved but there were notable successes, including the prosecution of two serial burglars