POLICE in Darlington are blaming a "dramatic increase" in anti-social behaviour on lax parenting and the sale of alcohol to under-age youths.

Officers in the town say violent teenagers are causing havoc on the streets, fuelled by too much alcohol.

They are warning off-licences that they face heavy penalties if caught selling drink to under-18s.

Adults found buying alcohol for under-age youths can also be prosecuted.

And police are urging parents to ensure they know their child's whereabouts at all times.

PC Amanda Stevens, from Darlington police, told The Northern Echo: "Over recent weeks, there has been a dramatic increase in incidents of anti-social behaviour in Darlington.

"Officers have found teenagers as young as 13 under the influence of alcohol in public areas around the town, often in groups of at least 20.

"The alcohol has fuelled violence and damage.

"Persons have been seriously assaulted, youths have been found semi-conscious in pools of vomit and one 16-year-old suffered a serious fracture to his leg after falling from a garage roof whilst drunk."

She said the worst places for anti-social behaviour were Mowden, the Denes, Cockerton Green and Stanhope Park, but youths found in those areas came from all over the town.

Members of Darlington's police beat team have taken drunken youths home and spoken to parents about their behaviour.

PC Stevens said: "It is most concerning that the majority of parents have been unaware of their child's activities and whereabouts.

"It seems to be a common trend that children are telling their parents that they are staying at a friend's house but are in fact being left unsupervised to do as they please until the early hours of the morning."

Police are appealing to parents to take steps to ensure their child's safety by contacting the parents of other children and confirming their whereabouts.

"Youths are being taken home to parents initially but if they are found drunk they also run the risk of being arrested and taken to the police station," said PC Stevens.

She warned youths that they could face anti-social behaviour orders for persistent disorder.

Closed-circuit television cameras around the town are being used to monitor and gather evidence on troublemakers.