YOUNG people who cause trouble in a town centre after dark are being warned to move on or face a curfew.

Police and traders are urging teenagers who gather in Aycliffe Shopping Centre, in Newton Aycliffe, to make use of the town's new park instead of using the precinct as a meeting place.

In a four-week initiative, dubbed Operation Formidable, extra police will patrol the area asking youngsters to move to the park.

If they fail to heed the warning, centre manager Bryan Haldane says he will seek a curfew order banning children from the area after 6.30pm.

Beat Sergeant for Newton Aycliffe Ed Turner said a minority of young people are responsible for anti-social behaviour, which has escalated in recent months.

He said: "Them being there is intimidating for other people walking through the town or visiting the few businesses that are open late.

"Some youths have been noisy, leave litter and ride bikes or skateboards dangerously, which is unwelcome.

"But a very small number have started drinking, minor drug abuse, smashing windows and causing other criminal damage, and they are spoiling things for everyone else.

"There is a wonderful facility just around the corner which we'd urge them to use. If not, we will enforce a ban if the centre management pursues that avenue."

Centre manager Bryan Haldane said: "Particular emphasis will be on those who vandalise or otherwise cause discomfort or stress to other users of the town centre.

"Should we feel after this period that the situation is not improving, then serious consideration will be given to introducing a curfew for young people in the town centre after 6.30pm.

"This is not an action that either the centre management or local police wish to take, and as such I would request that all parents and young people give serious consideration to how they wish the town centre to be used."

Sgt Turner said that the clampdown on misbehaving youths will coincide with an increased police presence in the town centre throughout the day, targeting shoplifters over the Christmas period.