A POLICE inspector has vowed to crack down on gangs of 'chavs' terrorising Darlington town centre on their bikes.

Beat inspector Chris Reeves says he hopes to obtain orders preventing persistent offenders from using bikes.

Local councillors have promised to back Insp Reeves as he attempts to get increased CCTV surveillance to monitor the activities of gangs of youths.

Insp Reeves addressed Darlington Borough Council's public protection and community partnerships scrutiny committee on problems with anti-social behaviour in the town.

He was asked what police were doing to record intelligence received from members of the public about anti-social behaviour.

Insp Reeves said: "If I can achieve one thing in Darlington before I retire, it would be to stop gangs of chavs marauding around Darlington on their bikes.

"It's one of the reasons I don't believe in the plans for the town centre."

Although some bicycle users would use the new pedestrianised town centre responsibly, the majority would not, he said.

Insp Reeves told councillors he believed a lot of crime was carried out by youths on bikes, and because of the size of the town, the offenders could be across the other side of town in under half an hour.

This would make it difficult for police to track them down.

He hoped to be able to issue offenders with anti-social behaviour orders which would prevent them using bikes.

He also hoped to put a police officer in the council's CCTV centre who could monitor gangs of youths.

However, he needed to obtain permission for specialist surveillance.

Councillor Doris Jones said the committee would support such a group and said a sub-group would be set up to look at the proposal.

Chief Superintendent Peter Davis, of the South Durham force, said Insp Reeves' views about the Pedestrian Heart project were personal and not representative of Durham Constabulary.

He added: "We have worked closely with Darlington Borough Council throughout the development of the Pedestrian Heart and we are fully supportive of the initiative."