GANGS of youths congregating in Skipton Bus Station could be caught on police camera as they promise to crack down on young troublemakers.

The police have launched a campaign to stop youths drinking, fighting and vandalising property in the bus station.

Skipton Inspector Tad Nowakowski said that, starting this weekend, officers would be specifically targeting hot spots where youths frequently caused trouble. In particular they will be patrolling on Friday and Saturday nights, as it seems that this is when the bulk of the crimes are committed.

They will be using a number of measures to try to cut crime including confiscating alcohol, regularly patrolling the sites, taking names and addresses, and issuing warnings in front of their parents.

In an unusual move officers are planning to video the gangs so persistent offenders can be identified easily by complainants.

One Skipton resident, whose house looks out over the bus station has spoken of his disgust with the youths that continually drink and cause trouble there.

The man, whose name is withheld for fear of repercussions, said: "There's a gang of four youths often accompanied by two scruffy females that congregate regularly, and especially at weekends, in this bus station.

"They are often worse for drink and on Sunday afternoon (May 12) they were in the bus station with their 'tinnies.' One was so drunk he threw up all over one stand."

The man said that he could not understand why CCTV did not cover the bus station and why it was so poorly lit at night as it gave cover to those committing anti-social acts.

"Even more disturbing, in my view, is the lack of public-spirited action by taxi drivers or bus drivers in calling the cops.

"Taxi drivers in particular must have seen those responsible for the recent damage to glass at the bus stands. So why didn't they call the police? Are this gang of minor thugs so powerful they've put the fear of God into the taxi men?" he said.

Insp Nowakowski urged anyone witnessing youths clearly doing something wrong to contact the police, he added that everyone had an obligation to help police stop this anti-social behaviour.

"It is not acceptable for this sort of behaviour to be going on in Craven. It is of great concern to me," he said.

To counter the problem officers had tried to stop young people gathering in the bus station in the past but thought it was time to re-look at the situation.

He was worried that if it was not curbed now the problems would get worse over the long, warm summer nights.