TACKLING anti-social behaviour was in focus when an MP and police commissioner walked the streets of Darlington after a rising number of complaints.

Jenny Chapman and Ron Hogg, Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner, were joined on the beat by Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Jeff Summerhill on the town's Lascelles estate.

Problems with low-level crime and youths riding off-road motorbikes came to the fore last week when Arriva buses were targeted in the area, as well as in neighbouring Firthmoor.

Mr Hogg wanted to reassure residents in the area that their concerns were being taken seriously but called on residents to come forward with names of suspects to help the police deal with the problem.

He said: “Crime across the area is falling but there is still problems with anti-social behaviour that we are looking to address – that’s why we are out on the street asking people what we can do to help.

“We have got be very clear to people that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Residents say they have been plagued by anti-social behaviour, but the problem hit the headlines when bus services in the area had to be cancelled after several incidents of vehicles being attacked by youths and windows smashed.

Earlier this week, Darlington Police confirmed that PCSOs will be using the buses in and around Firthmoor to try and identify those responsible for throwing missiles at the buses.

Mr Hogg said: “The officers responded to the problem quickly by getting officers onto buses that were travelling into the estate but now that the snow has gone, hopefully, the problem will also go away.”

Ms Chapman, the town’s MP, wants residents to have an input into how the police and local authority can deal with the issue.

“I have had a couple of emails from residents raising concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area and I wanted to come down and see for myself what the issues are,” she said. “Working together, we can put a stop to anti-social behaviour but we need people to come forward with information.”

The plea for help from residents was echoed by Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Jeff Summerhill who said evidence was key to solving the problem.

He said: “Today is about showing the residents that we are taking their concerns seriously and that we will do what we can to resolve the issue, however, we need people to come forward and give the information that we need.

“This is a small community and people will know who these offenders are – we just need to reassure people that they can speak to us in confidence.”

Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour can call Durham Police on 101, report issues on Darlington Borough Council’s website at www.darlington.gov.uk or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800-55-111.