POLICE have handed out anti-social behaviour notices to 15 youths over complaints of cannabis use and bad behaviour at a skate park.

A "core" of the youths involved in problems at Ilkley Skate Park have been warned they could be stopped and searched by officers looking for the Class B controlled drug if they are seen again by the skate park.

But police are continuing their patrols after some of the teens involved were seen gathering elsewhere in the town.

Now they plan to a multi-agency information exercise, including a drug awareness night at Ilkley Grammar School, in an effort to make "blinkered" parents more aware of the risks to young people.

Local police acted on reports from members of the public over the past 12 months about children using cannabis at the popular Ilkley Skate Park, at one side of East Holmes Field, as well as reports of anti-social behaviour in the area.

PC Brian Southgate told Ilkley parish councillors police had recognised a core of youths involved, and served them with anti-social behaviour warning letters.

Their names have been recorded by police, and officers have spoken to them and their parents.

"What we find in this area is that parents are very blinkered with regards to drugs and don't know a lot of information about it, hopefully we can do a bit of work on that," he said.