A TEENAGER has been banned from a County Durham town centre for one year.

The 14-year-old girl was handed a Criminal Behaviour Order which prohibits her to enter the town unless accompanied by an adult.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court made the order following an application by Durham Police officers in their bid to stop her anti-social and criminal behaviour.

Sergeant Andy Boyd, of Newton Aycliffe police, said: “I am over the moon that the courts have seen fit to back us on this occasion in imposing this order. This female, for a number of months has caused a lot of misery for local businesses and the community – this order gives us a tool to reduce and restrict her offending.

“We are aware there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour in the town centre and we are working with partners and local stakeholders to look at engagement and education opportunities. I’d ask that as a parent, you know where your child is when they go out, who they are associating with and educate them around acceptable behaviour.”

The order was made on Friday, January 11.