TOUGH powers to break up gangs of yobs have not been used following a fall in anti-social behaviour.
Police had wanted to use dispersal orders in Kirkheaton and Lepton.
The powers allow officers to escort large groups of people out of an area for up to 24 hours.
But Insp Dave Glover told Kirklees Council’s Huddersfield South Area Committee that the powers would not be used.
The Huddersfield South Neighbourhood Policing Team member said: “The level of anti-social behaviour fell substantially in May and June. We’ve been out speaking to the young people in the villages and Kirklees Council’s youth services have been getting involved more as well.”
Police had considered the move because of the high level of anti-social behaviour in the two villages earlier this year.
From December 2007 to April there were 93 reported incidents of anti-social behaviour in Kirkheaton and 59 in Lepton.
Police met residents in the villages in June to discuss using the dispersal powers.
But Insp Glover said support for the tough move had not been total.
He said: “In Lepton people wanted the dispersal orders but in Kirkheaton some people did and some people didn’t.”
