POLICE are stepping up night-time patrols in Coxhoe to crack down on rowdy youngsters.

They have received several complaints in recent weeks about gangs of youths, some of them 30-strong, who congregate in Front Street.

Police say the youngsters are rowdy, drunk and intimidate passers-by and have vandalised property including damaging fences and bus shelters.

A Durham force spokesman said the problems generally started after 6pm and could go on until midnight. Officers believed that the problems were made worse by teenage boys and girls from outside the area coming into the village.

Patrols of regular officers and community safety officers will seize and confiscate alcohol from under-18s and send warning letters to youngsters caught misbehaving.

Coxhoe beat officer PC Mark Ogilvy said: "Following a number of complaints concerning anti-social behaviour we are stepping up patrols on Friday and Saturday nights.

"Both regular police and community safety officers will be providing a visible presence and we will take firm action against anyone committing an offence."

A new initiative against anti-social behaviour by youngsters at Brandon, which involves talking to young people to find out what they want, has already led to a 70 per cent fall in the number of calls about misbehaviour in the first week.