NUISANCE neighbours are set to be targeted by a specialist warden in a bid to cut down on anti-social behaviour.

The Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator in Darlington will be part of the existing warden scheme in the town.

Other wardens throughout the town will report any complaints of anti-social behaviour to the new co-ordinator who will then decide how to deal with it.

Persistent offenders will be taken to court by the police and the council and an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) will be applied for, banning individuals from certain areas in the town.

The co-ordinator will then keep an eye on those who are covered by ASBOs and if they are found to break the rules they could face up to five years in prison.

ASBOs can be handed out to adults and children and can be given for any persistent nuisance such as throwing stones, noise or threatening behaviour.

They help the police and local authorities deal with people who do not carry out criminal acts but are disruptive and a nuisance to their neighbours.

Bill Dixon, the council's cabinet member for social services said: "These ASBOs are a way for the council and the police to crack down on the type of low level, repeat anti-social behaviour that makes some people's lives a misery.

"Community safety is about a lot more than just crime but also about the quality of our lives here in Darlington."

The council decided to employ a special anti-social behavior warden after a survey of council tenants' opinions on their neighbourhoods.

The tenants complained they did not see much of the town's wardens of patrolling police officers and were unsure who they should report nuisance behaviour to.

Although Neighborhood Management Staff, employed by the council, are happy to deal with minor complaints, it was thought a dedicated employee could give more time to nuisance behavior such as litter dropping.

Residents also called for more CCTV cameras to monitor the behaviour of groups of youngsters who were causing a nuisance and scaring elderly and vulnerable residents.

The council is hoping to get funding from the Government for North-East regional crime director to pay for the special warden.