POLICE are urging teenagers to think about the consequences of their behaviour after a large group of underage drinkers were found starting fires over the weekend.

Officers were called to the field behind Gordon Terrace, in Ferryhill, on Saturday evening and arrived to find two fires below overhead cables with youths gathered around them.

Police said one youth was so drunk she was unable to stand up by herself and firefighters were called to extinguish the fires.

Spennymoor Police said on Facebook: “Tonight officers have responded to a large group of youths drinking and setting fires in a field behind Gordon Terrace in Ferryhill.

“When officers arrived there were two fires right below low overhead cables and lots of youths gathered around the fires, one female was so drunk she could not stand by herself.

“Fire were called out to deal with the two fires and the police dealt with the youths.

“The youths were in a field in the middle of nowhere where both emergency services could not get their vehicles near so should an emergency occur we could not get there with full equipment.”

Ferryhill Town Councillor Ken Campbell said: “It’s in the hands of the police now but it’s important that parents know where their children are when they are out and about.”

Cllr Bernard Lamb added: “There needs to be more in the area for our young people and a better education about the dangers of underage drinking.

“It’s a very small minority of young people that are causing a problem and I do think that young people are no worse today than they were years ago.

“But they need to understand that when emergency services are called to deal with fires they’ve lit they ‘re potentially endangering somebody else’s life.”

The police statement added: “Please think of the consequences of your behaviour. You may think it’s all fun and games drinking and setting fires and often say we are ruining your fun but we are thinking about your safety and others.

“Parents please make sure you know where your children are. We have a zero tolerance approach to this type of behaviour.”

Anybody who witnesses antisocial behaviour is asked to contact Police on 101.