A SCHEME to combat the problem of anti-social behaviour in Stockton has proved successful.

Operation SCARAB (Stockton's Combined Action to Reduce Anti-Social Behaviour) took place on July 11.

Officers patrolled the cycleway between Marske Parade, Bishopsgarth and the grounds of Ropner Park and known hot-spots at Leonard Ropner Drive, Askew Parade, Tyrone Road, Green Lane and Redhill House in Roseworth.

Enforcement officers, community wardens and trading standards officers and nine police community support officers were involved in the operation.

The chairman of the Friends of Ropner Park, Craig Adamson, joined the team as an observer.

Officers issued three fixed penalties, 30 verbal cautions for drink and litter, confiscated more than 100 containers of alcohol and made an arrest for breach of the peace and assault on a police officer. Doug Carhart, head of the council's security service, said: "Hopefully, these youngsters will get the message they cannot get away with it any longer."