POLICE are appealing for help from the public in combating an apparent increase in anti-social behaviour.

Operation Fosston City 2007 has been looking at problems in and around Church Road, Trimdon.

Police and residents have concerns about the area near the Coop and the library.

Beat officer for Trimdon John Seymour said police have been gathering intelligence in the area and that arrests are likely to follow.

He said: "What we are seeing is a large group of young adults, not necessarily kids, who are drinking outside the Co-op and the library.

"Because we are talking about adults drinking, it is not quite as easy to deal with. We can't just move them on, or speak to their parents.

"But it is an issue and having large numbers of people standing around drinking at night is obviously very intimidating.

"We have been in the area for a few days gathering evidence with CCTV and appealing to any members of the public who are subject to anti-social behaviour to get in touch with us.

"With our own intelligence and reports from the public, we are hoping to make a few arrests next week and resolve some of the issues in the area."

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Seymour at the Sedgefield office on the police non-emergency number 0845-60- 60-365.