NOISE and enforcement patrols across Stockton borough are now operating for longer following a review of the service.

Stockton Borough Council has seen more than 80 extra complaints about noise in the early hours submitted as a result.

Officers from the council's neighbourhood enforcement service now patrol the streets from 7.45am until 3am every day, longer than under the old system.

This is due to there being less overlap between shifts, which means the council is not spending extra money on the new arrangements.

Using vehicles equipped with CCTV equipment, the officers deal with issues such as anti-social behaviour, environmental crime, noise complaints and nuisance vehicles.

Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton Borough Council's cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: "In particular, they are now better able to deal with noise complaints in the early hours, much to the relief of some residents.

"Most late night noise complaints relate to amplified music - yet it's easy for people to avoid this by turning it down, being more considerate and just being a bit quieter."

To report anti-social behaviour, call 01642-607943, or for other neighbourhood enforcement services, including noise complaints call 01642-528439.