AN OPERATION that brought down an organised crime family whose actions blighted the lives of two North-East villages has won a top police award.

Today (Friday, June 21), Peterlee Neighbourhood Police Team’s Operation Tazmania triumphed over 11 other projects at the Durham Police Problem Oriented Partnerships (POP) awards.

The operation, which was lead by PC Dave Taylor and PCSO Sharon Bowman, saw officers confront a family that were co-ordinating youths to commit low level crime, deal drugs and behave anti-socially in Wheatley Hill and Thornley.

Guests at the ceremony at the Xcel Centre in Newton Aycliffe heard how two brothers in particular considered themselves “untouchable” and how residents had lost confidence in the police.

However, by working with the community, PC Taylor and PCSO Bowman turned the situation around.

Chief Constable Mike Barton, of Durham Police, said: “The winning operation was fantastic because it rid residents of an organised crime family who were making their lives a misery.

“By taking simple measures, such as checking all their cars were properly insured, the team was able to close down the family car garage, which was just a front for criminal activity, and restore residents confidence in the police.”

Professor Nick Tilley, of the Department of Security and Crime Science at University College London, who attended the ceremony, said the project was worthy of international acclaim.

Other problem-solving projects showcased at the ceremony include measures to cut anti –social behaviour at Stanley Bus Station, Chester-le-Street YMCA and High Etherley, near Bishop Auckland, and a road policing unit initiative to highlight the dangers of parking outside schools.