POLICE and community leaders are working together to clamp down on nuisance behaviour in a car park.

Noise from car radios, litter and vandalism to parked vehicles are among the problems at Pickering's Eastgate car park.

Sergeant Cliff Edens has set up a problem-solving group to try to deal with the issues.

He said: "The idea is to bring together people such as youth workers, local councillors and residents to work alongside agencies, including Ryedale District Council and Safer Ryedale, to resolve the issues."

One of the main problems is anti-social behaviour, caused by groups of people congregating in their cars, playing loud music, shouting and damaging the car park.

"Some of these people are under the influence of alcohol and they don't seem to care how much noise they make or what state they leave the car park in," said Sgt Edens.

Safer Ryedale anti-social behaviour co-ordinator Fred McManus is working with community groups and local authority officers to formulate the action plan.

He said: "We are looking at ways of making changes to the car park itself that will practically prevent this kind of behaviour, which is damaging the quality of life for local residents and others who use this busy car park."

Youth workers will spend time with the young people who meet in the car park and police will increase monitoring of the site.

Anyone who has other ideas about tackling the problem is asked to contact Sgt Edens on 0845 6060 247.