POLICE spent 120 hours patrolling an Easter fun fair following several incidents.

The popular fair took place at The Sands, in Durham, between April 7 and 22.

Following several incidents over the first weekend of the fair – including a gang of youths throwing duck eggs at a wedding party – police increased patrols, seizing alcohol from young people on an almost daily basis.

Durham City sergeant Kay Howarth said: “We also carried out regular ‘Staysafe’ operations as the fair lasted throughout the Easter school holidays.

“These led to almost daily seizures of alcohol from young people, who were drinking on the street or in other public areas.

“Overall we were relieved not to experience the same sort of problems on the second or third weekends.

“As is usually the case, it was just a minority who threatened to spoil the enjoyment of those who simply wanted to have a good time.”

Over the first weekend of the fair a number of incidents were reported which are believed to be connected to young people attending it.

On Saturday, April 8, a wedding party at the nearby Radisson Hotel was disrupted at about 5.30pm by a large group of youths throwing partially formed duck eggs, picked up from nests along the River Wear, at party members and vehicles.

The following evening there was a large-scale disturbance involving two groups of youths, again near the Radisson which resulted in at least one assault.

As a result of the incidents police spoke to the organisers of the fair and asked them to put in place measures to curb the bad behaviour.

They also allocated additional staff to patrol the area around The Sands at the busiest times, which in total came to around 120 officer hours, not including work done on investigative work carried out directly in response to reported offences, such as public order, minor assaults and criminal damage.

Alcohol was seized under the Designated Public Place Order (DPPO), which covers the whole of Durham city, including The Sands and prohibits the public consumption of alcohol within designated areas.

No arrests have been made in connection with the incidents.