SKATEBOARDERS who congregate at Hartlepool's war memorial are facing a clampdown following the introduction of a bylaw.

Enforcement action, which involves the police issuing an initial reprimand, two warnings and then reporting offenders to Hartlepool Borough Council for prosecution, will begin next month.

Before then, however, two awareness events on Friday and July 16 will be held to try to make the skateboarders more aware of the problems they are causing at Victory Square, in Victoria Road, and persuade them to move on.

Police, members of the council's Environmental Action Team, Middleton Grange Shopping Centre security staff, youth workers and community wardens will talk to skateboarders.

A council spokesman said: "Action to enforce the bylaw banning skateboarding is proposed due to the number of complaints that we have been receiving from members of the public over damage being caused to the war memorial and the lack of respect being shown to it. We hope that prosecutions will not prove necessary and that the skateboarders will move to alternative locations."

It is hoped they will use the Mill House skateboard park and facilities, and security there is being improved to make the site more attractive to youngsters. Security camera coverage is being improved, community wardens are to hold more patrols and the toilets at the adjacent Mill House Leisure Centre will be made available for use by skateboarders.