A FUN fair was shut down by police following a spate of anti-social behaviour incidents.

Bishop Auckland Police announced they had closed the fair, which is held in the car park next to Bishop Auckland FC's Heritage Park stadium, at about 8pm on Saturday after receiving several calls involving public order and assaults.

Police urged parents to contact their children and organise transport away from the area.

The closure followed a warning posted by the Bishop Auckland Neighbourhood Policing Team earlier yesterday afternoon after one youth was arrested on Friday night.

The police said they received reports of adults buying alcohol for underage girls.

A police statement said: "A small number of young people were drunk at the fair last night. One young person was arrested and several others had either parents contacted or received dispersal notices due to information/observations that they were involved in anti-social behaviour, either at the fair or at the neighbouring Tindale Retail Park."

The fair is open today, as normal, between 1pm and 4pm.

Police added: "The vast majority of people that attended were well behaved and caused no issues, but one or two refused to listen to good advice and so further action was needed."

Fair owner John Murphy said he was aware there had been a couple of incidents. He said he understood it involved two or three families but said these occured outside of the fairground and he agreed to close early to "help smooth the situation".

  • For any information, contact T/Sgt 2670 Beardmore at Bishop Auckland Neighbourhood Policing Team by calling 101 or email bishopauckland@durham.pnn.police.uk