GANGS of youths have been blamed for a spate of anti-social behaviour at a Darlington supermarket.

Toilets were recently set on fire at Morrisons, on North Road, in the town.

There have also been reports of young teenagers riding bikes through the store.

The issue was raised by Liberal Democrat councillor Anne-Marie Curry at a full Darlington Borough Council meeting with Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg.

Mr Hogg said he was aware of the problems and police were looking into it.

Cllr Curry, who represents the North Road ward, said police had advised the supermarket to temporarily close the toilets following the fire, which caused inconvenience to shoppers.

She added: “While sitting in Morrisons you regularly see gangs of youths on bicycles going through the middle of the shop.

“We are talking about 14, 15, 16 years old, this is private land. It is an issue that will not go away this summer.

“I would like to work closely with them [the supermarket] and the police to try and resolve this issue.”