A YOUNG woman has been arrested in in connection with racist hate crime after a clampdown on antisocial behaviour in an area of Middlesbrough.

The 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of two racially-motivated public order incidents and for failing to comply with a dispersal notice.

As part of Operation Silver police have been on the streets of the Newport area of Middlesbrough after a raft of complaints of youngsters causing antisocial behaviour, drinking alcohol and causing a nuisance – sometimes escalating to criminal damage, assaults, and racist disorder.

A police spokeswoman said: “Newport residents may have seen in increase in police patrols recently, as officers respond to a rise in reports of crime and antisocial behaviour.

“Police have been providing a high visibility presence in the ward, particularly around Wicklow Street, as part of Operation Silver.

Housing enforcement officers from Middlesbrough Council have been handing out enforcement orders to some particularly troublesome tenants.

A 13-year-old girl was referred to Youth Offending services after being arrested on suspicion of assault Sgt Tom Sewell said: “We will continue to work with partner agencies and will adopt a zero tolerance approach to young people causing antisocial behaviour, crime and racist behaviour.

“Offenders who persist in criminal or antisocial behaviour can expect us to actively seek a criminal behaviour order against them.”