STAMP it Out! - that's the Gazette & Herald's message when it comes to anti-social behaviour, and it seems the message is being heard.

Anti-Social behaviour co-ordinator for Ryedale, Fred McManus, said he is delighted with our campaign.

"We're very happy with the support of the Gazette & Herald in tackling the problem of anti-social behaviour, which, although very minimal in Ryedale, is still a factor," he said. "Working in partnership with the police, local authorities and, in this case, local media, is encouraging people to come forward with information about criminal and anti-social behaviour."

Mr McManus, who works with the community safety partnership Safer Ryedale, added: "Since the weekend in early July when we had a spate of vandalism in Malton and Norton, it has been very quiet. It could be that the campaign, in drawing attention to it, has contributed to that."

One of Safer Ryedale's recent initiatives is proving a success. Since it installed a mobile CCTV camera in Wentworth Street car park in Malton, complaints about boy racers abusing the car park and disturbing nearby residents have died down entirely.

"The cameras are acting as a very good deterrent," said Mr McManus. "I'm concerned that to some degree it might have displaced them elsewhere, but in tackling the immediate problem it has been very successful."

Meanwhile, police are still keen to hear views from Pickering residents on a dispersal order introduced in April to combat troublesome gangs.

The order, which is due to run for six months, covers 22 public areas in the town, including The Ropery, Eastgate car park, Market Place and the grounds of Pickering Castle.

Sgt Anna Rees, who is in charge of the order, said: "We want to know whether the public believes the orders have been working since they started."

You can write to Sgt Rees at Malton Police Station, Old Malton Road Malton YO17 7EY, or email anna.rees@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk, or call her on (0845) 6060247.

Anyone with information about criminal or anti-social behaviour should get in touch with Ryedale Police in the following way: - If someone's going to be injured, either personally or to their property and it is happening now, call 999.

- If it is not happening there and then, but you feel it should still be reported to the police, call 0845 6060247 - which stands for 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day and seven days in a week.

- If someone is annoying you in your village or down your street, get hold of a community safety officer and go to your next local community and policing meeting.