POLICE are hunting a gang of youths responsible for riding their bikes up and down the escalators of a Darlington supermarket and intimidating customers.

Over recent weeks there have been reports from the security staff at the Sainsbury’s on Victoria Road that large groups of teenagers have been congregating around the main doors and intimidating customers.

Reports include the teens riding their bikes up and down the supermarket’s escalators, banging on the windows and hurling insults at security staff.

Now Darlington Police are studying CCTV footage and harnessing the power of social media to try and track down the culprits.

Officers are also analysing CCTV footage from other places experiencing similar anti-social behaviour issues around the town and images of suspects may be circulated on the force's Darlington neighbourhood Facebook page in a bid to get them identified.

PC Jeff Summerhill said officers would rather work with the youths involved to help put a stop to their antics, but warned that powers such as dispersal and anti-social behaviour orders could be used if the problem persists.

He said: “When they are gathering outside the store, some people’s perception is that it is causing anti-social behaviour.

“Security guards are saying that they are playing around on their bikes, going up and down the escalators on their bikes and cycling in the foyer, which is an absolute nuisance.

“But you might also have kids there on their bikes who are not doing anything particularly wrong, just gathering where it is warm and dry, and they are getting tarred with the same brush, if you like.

“We do have powers of dispersal – but that is for longer down the line - first we need to build up evidence to find out just what is going on and who is responsible.”

If you have witnessed or been the victim of any anti-social behaviour at Sainsbury’s, contact the police on 101.

No one from the store was available for comment at the time of going to press.