VANDALISM and anti-social behaviour are causing concern in Middleton St George.

Councillors are worried that gangs of youths congregating on street corners in the village, near Darlington, have nothing better to do other than cause trouble.

Parish and borough councillor, Doris Jones, said the village had grown dramatically over the past five years, but no new facilities have been introduced.

"We have serious problems. We do not have a youth club or anything, the only thing we have to offer the youths is a bus shelter.

"Consequently, they get rowdy, it gets out of hand and vandalism is committed."

Notice boards have been smashed and set on fire, kerbstones have been removed from one of the reservoirs at Middleton Water Park, youths have been causing annoyance to residents and some are afraid to go out after dark.

Coun Jones said that the problems would get worse if a mobile police unit, which tours rural villages, such as Middleton St George, Heighington and Hurworth ceased to operate in the area.

"If that happens it will be a total catastrophe," she said.

"When that police unit is there, there are cameras and radios on board, with officers who patrol the area.

"When the unit is there, there are less problems, but without it the problems are going to get worse."

She added: "There was a rape last year, that is how serious the problems are. It is seriously out of control."

However, a police spokes-man said that the rural policing unit was used as a temporary measure to target troublespots and tackle specific problems.

The unit consists of a sergeant and six constables, who go into an area and provide reinforcement for local officers. They deal with everything from quality of life issues, such as disorder, drinking and drugs through to crime.

"Their main purpose is to help resolve problems, in this instance, the unit went to Middleton St George for seven days in January," said the spokesman.

"The main issue was youths congregating and causing annoyance and disorder. Hopefully, the presence of police officers will have discouraged them from congregating there.

"The rural policing unit was never a permanent fixture. It was there in addition to officers already on the ground, who remain."