A TEENAGE gang which has made the lives of a small community "an absolute misery" has been banned from the streets.

Two of the youths have been issued with banning orders keeping them off the streets of South Moor, near Stanley, while another three have agreed to stay away after being threatened with a similar court order.

The Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (Asbo) handed to the two youths, both aged between 16 and 18, are the first to be issued in Derwentside.

One has been banned from even entering South Moor, while the other has been ordered to stay away from certain streets where the gang was blamed from causing vandalism, theft and rowdiness.

Derwentside District Council and Derwentside police both signalled their determinations to use Asbos - a new Government initiative to restrict the movements of persistent trouble-makers - to reduce nuisance behaviour across the district.

The gang has been blamed for damage running into tens of thousands of pounds over the last few years.

The teenagers have threatened people, shoplifted and vandalised property including South Moor Library and local businesses.

The Asbos were obtained at magistrates' court and the youngsters know that if they break the conditions of the order they could be locked up for up to five years.

Tom Clifford, community safety and information officer at Derwentside council, said letters have been sent to 40 other parents of youngsters in the district who have been causing trouble.

The council has also provided two video cameras to the police who record bad behaviour for evidence and to be shown to parents.

Chief inspector David Hogg of Derwentside police said: "We will have absolutely no hesitation in seeking further such orders."

Alex Watson, leader of Derwentside council, said: "These people really do make people's lives an absolute misery.

"I have had a number of these types of kids in to see me on several occasions and the thing is they are often not stupid kids. It's just a lack of discipline."

Derwentside, one of Britain's most economically deprived areas, has one of County Durham's lowest crime rates which actually dropped by 15 per cent between 1998 and 2001. But violent crime rose in the same period and is significantly above the county's average. Each Asbo costs the council about £6,000 in legal costs.