The daredevil sport, also known as parkour, originated in France and involves scaling buildings and performing acrobatic stunts.

PC Andy Davis said: "I've heard in Bridlington this free running is very popular – and very dangerous. We had a report that some kids were on the church roof in Hunmanby, and I think it's filtered through from Bridlington.

"Certain youths aren't as brave as others and may need some cider, so we're going to have drunk kids doing this. Hopefully we're not going to find any children with broken necks."

Police spoke to four young people after reports of children climbing on the roof of All Saints' Church and other properties, including Hunmanby Community Centre and Peter Milnes Motors in Bridlington Street.

Michelle Fry, of Stonegate, said she had had "a lot of problems" with youths playing on scaffolding and was worried about them going from her property to the roof of the garages at the community centre.

On the positive side, police and parish councillors said there had been far fewer problems around the youth shelter over the past month and praised children for keeping the area tidy.

Parish councillors had threatened to have the shelter removed, but are now happy to review it on a month-by-month basis.

Scarborough Council's anti-social behaviour officer, John Casey, said it had proved to be the best-used shelter in the borough and the police and Safer Communities were keen to see it stay there.

Meanwhile, police have warned of a spate of diesel thefts in the region. PC Davis said: "We've had three reports of diesel theft on Hunmanby industrial estate, and in some cases they're drilling through tanks in cars."

Police have urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious circumstances.

Recorded crime in the Hertford ward, April 1 2008 – September 17 2008 (last year's figures in brackets)

autocrime15 (4)

burglary (dwelling)9 (4)

burglary (other) 9 (10)

criminal damage 33 (30)

theft 41 (37)

violence 21 (37)

other 5 (5)

Total 133 (127)