VILLAGERS who claim that teenage troublemakers are blighting their lives have been urged to report the culprits.

Residents of Frosterley claim that the same small group of youths are responsible for a string of incidents that disturb the peace of a tranquil corner of Weardale.

Police made three arrests after the latest incident, which happened on Sunday evening and left an 18-year-old man which a head wound and a broken nose.

At least eight officers, some with dogs, were called to the village at about 6.30pm. They took three teenagers to Crook police station and bailed them until June 4, when two are expected to be charged.

A police spokesman said: "I can understand why people were alarmed because there were so many officers. The initial reports were that there had been a serious incident and there was certainly a lot of blood at the scene.

"If this sort of thing is happening people should report what they see to us or the local authority who have powers to move them out with the help of the civil courts, where the burden of proof is lighter.

"We know there is a problem but we can only act with the help of information given to us. People are going to have to make statements."

The victim's mother said: "This was an unprovoked attack. His nose was broken and there was a horrific amount of blood. He was badly shaken and is still very bruised and sore.

"This sort of thing can't go on. People see what is happening and they daren't report it because these lads are terrorising the village."

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: "There is a group of youths who cause a lot of trouble but people are too frightened to report them.

"They are making people's lives a misery, but they stand back and let them get away with it."

Police asked anyone with information about any incidents in Frosterley to contact them on (01388) 762011.