Full Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) have been issued in Ilkley for the first time.

George McKenzie, of Ilkley, and John Bulmer, of Langbar, have been banned from getting drunk in public, acting in a threatening manner and begging for money after complaints from people in the town.

The courts issued the two-year orders. and posters with pictures of the men have been put up in public places and premises selling alcohol in the town.

The terms of the ASBOs state that McKenzie, 42, and Bulmer, 49, behaved anti-socially towards residents, retailers and visitors in Ilkley, Addingham, Ben Rhydding and Silsden, and ban them from threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour, including making inappropriate sexual comments and begging for money.

The pair must not be drunk or possess alcohol in a public place, except in licensed premises, and McKenzie has been warned against using foul and abusive language. They are also banned from making contact with each other.

The orders run until December 23, 2012.

ASBOs are used to deal with minor persistent offenders who might not be punished through the courts.

Government figures show more than half of orders are breached but supporters say they have been effective in tackling crime. Anyone breaking an order can face arrest and imprisonment.

Insp Sue Sanderson, head of Ilkley’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said the court had been very supportive and that the men had already been banned from most pubs in the town.

“Over the past number of months we have received a number of calls from the public,” she said.

“They are quite well-known to many in the town and they are both alcoholics, who have been drinking and making inappropriate comments to people, particularly to women.

“The court looked at the evidence and has issued two ASBOs against these two men. Effectively it puts restrictions against them in public.