ONE of County Durham's senior detectives says he is relieved no one in the county died through drunken violence during the festive season.

Before Christmas, police voiced fears of a holiday period tragedy, following a spate of deaths last year, mostly of young men.

On Boxing day 2000, a 33-year-old man died after being stabbed near his home, in Easington, County Durham, following a disturbance.

Although police are investigating deaths on Teesside and on Tyneside, there were no serious incidents in County Durham.

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson said: "It would be wrong to say the county was completely quiet, as we did have isolated incidents here and there.

"But I am very relieved that, over the festive period, we did not have to deal with any loss of life due to crime, or any incident where that seemed possible.

"It does look as though people have been having a good time and enjoying themselves without getting caught up in serious trouble.

"We are not kidding ourselves that this relative calm will last forever. Our message remains that, all too often, young men are quick to become aggressive and get involved in bother when they have been drinking, and that can happen at any time of the year.

"Weekends, in particular, will always have the potential for trouble, as people go out and let their hair down.

"But we should still be thankful that this Christmas and New Year passed without any families in County Durham having to pick up the pieces after a loved one died at someone else's hand."