ANYONE caught misusing fireworks in the next month faces an £80 fine, police have warned.

The measure is part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour being launched across North Yorkshire in time for Halloween, Mischief Night and Bonfire Night.

Police patrols will be stepped up during this period.

Anyone aged 16 or over caught misusing fireworks between October 22 and November 15 will be issued with a £80 fixed penalty notice.

Under-16s could also face being reported or arrested for serious firework misbehaviour.

The initiative is the first action under Operation Delivery +, which is set to run for the next six months.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian McPherson said: "Operation Delivery + comes in the wake of the highly successful Operation Delivery, which has seen falling crime and increased detection rates across the county since it was introduced by the force in 2003.

"Delivery + is a timely update aimed at building on those firm foundations.

"It is all about reducing crime and the fear of crime, while increasing arrests and detections in order that communities might feel more reassured.

"This is a multi-agency initiative that will balance high-profile, high-visibility patrols against problem identification, with problem solving in local commun-ities."

The operation will be led by neighbourhood policing teams, including police community support officers and special constables, under the direction of area and district commanders.

Mr McPherson said: "This marks the next stage in embedding neighbourhood policing with teeth into our communities.

"We will be cracking down on low-level violence and anti-social behaviour, while targeting active criminals.

"Operation Delivery was extremely successful - Delivery + will add that little bit more."

Under the initiative, action days will be held to tackle hooligan behaviour, combining police resources with those of partners including local authorities, the DVLA and neighbourhood watch groups.

Operation Delivery was launched in 2003 to target known criminals and nuisance and anti-social behaviour.

The initiative saw more than 200 arrests in its first week.

It has since been declared a major success.