POLICE are hoping a new station will hail the 'dawn of a new era' for a community plagued by vandalism.

A mini police station was officially opened on Tuesday on a blighted estate at St Helen Auckland, in the hope that it will resolve problems for the area.

Nearly a third of the 300 homes at St Helen Auckland are empty and boarded up and residents still living on the estate have found anti-social behaviour has increased.

A spokesman for County Durham police said: "The mini police station effectively heralds the dawn of a new era for the 3,000 residents of the area, who have been plagued in the past by vandals and rowdies."

The community police house is situated in a converted end-of-terrace house in Melrose Drive.

It is a joint venture with Wear Valley District Council and the estate's housing officer and voluntary organisations will also have an office within the station. Local businesses donated materials, carpets and even the sign above the station.

The area's beat officer PC Brian Coates said he hoped the base would help them build links with the community.

He said: "It will give the public a police presence on the estate and offer reassurance and confidence to the residents, especially the elderly.

"Much of the minor damage and anti-social behaviour has been caused by youngsters aged between five and ten years of age.

"Our work in the primary school has already served to dramatically reduce that type of nuisance offending and the opening of the house will also act as a deterrent to those who in the past might have been bent on misbehaving."

The station will be open between 10am and 10pm everyday.