THE net is tightening on a small but rather despicable set whose antics have been charted in these columns over the last few weeks.

The police now have a "dispersal order" covering the centre of Skipton. The order is a new tool for the police, brought in as part of the Government's law and order campaign. The order allows the police to order any group of two or more to disperse or be arrested. If they return within 24 hours they can be arrested.

The defenders of civil liberties and "human rights" will probably be mortified. This does seem like a sweeping power to move on anyone - technically three little old ladies having a natter on the High Street can be ordered to "disperse".

But in fact the power will be used against a specific group whose identity is well known to the police. Cowardly, hunting in packs, they like to attack innocent individuals and scowl, swear and commit petty acts of nuisance. They like the shadows and when a police car sweeps round the corner they invariably adopt a statuesque pose, throwing sullen looks and waiting for the police to respond to an incident elsewhere so they can resume their nasty habits.

Now though the police do not need to have a reason to tell them to "disperse". The very fact that they are congregating in a manner which the police suspect may cause fear and nuisance to the general public is enough.

Human rights? In this case the human rights of the general population of Skipton rightly takes precedence over these malcontents.

It remains to be seen if the order proves effective and the police are well aware that they may just be pushing the problem elsewhere. But the community at least knows that action is being taken.