POLICE in Darlington are vowing to clamp down on youths who are putting people's lives at risk by throwing stones at cars.

Officers are concerned that someone could be killed, or injured, if the youths are not stopped.

In the space of a week, there have been four incidents of stones being thrown from the railway bridge, at Smithfield Road.

In the latest - and most serious - incident, a mother and her child escaped when a brick thrown from the bridge smashed the windscreen of their car.

The pair, who have not been named, were not injured, but were left shaken.

Police plan to step up patrols in the area, in a bid to catch those responsible.

Inspector Andy McGregor-Taylor, of Darlington police, said: "This is a very dangerous activity, which could lead to someone being seriously injured, or even killed.

"There is a particular danger during the current bad weather, because cars will find it harder to stop because of the road conditions.

"The people who are doing it are committing an offence by trespassing on a railway line, and they could also face charges of assault and criminal damage."

Anyone with information about the previous incidents, or who sees people on the railway line, is asked to contact police on (01325) 467681