Drive against anti-social behaviour

The initiative at Roseberry Sports and Community College in Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, included a series of workshops. Police now hope to roll it out to other schools in the area.

The move follows problems with criminal damage, large groups of youths congregating and general nuisance.

An anti-social awareness day at the school involved workshops with the police, fire brigade, Durham County Council youth engagement service, RSPCA and Chester-le-Street environmental enforcement team.

Chester-le-Street Community Inspector Paul Anderson said: "We have been trying to tackle the problem in a number of ways, including enforcement.

"But for the main solution to this problem we are looking to the long term, and that means trying to educate young people and nip it in the bud before things escalate and they get themselves into trouble."

As part of the project, police have written letters to all pupils attending the school, advising their parents on anti-social behaviour.

Gwyn Jones, the school's assistant headteacher, added: "I think if we can prevent anything in the first place we will have achieved something.

"The vast majority of pupils would not get into trouble in the first place - but the important thing is to be proactive and positive."