TEENAGERS caught drinking in a police operation have been sent to information sessions rather than punished in court.

Police in Darlington handed out more than 60 requests for under-age drinkers to attend the lessons following a week-long crackdown.

Nearly 200 pints of alcohol were seized and five people arrested during Street Safe Action Week.

Much of the police operation was based around the North Road corridor, from the town centre to Harrowgate Hill.

It was carried out by the North Road beat team and was the idea of Police Community Support Officer Christine O'Brien.

PC Adrian Rutter took the information sessions.

A total of 20 people attended, including some parents. Children were taught about the dangers of alcohol abuse and the effects of having a criminal record.

PC John Forster, a member of the beat team, said: "Rather than looking for prosecutions, we realised there was a need to educate the youths with alcohol problems, particularly their drinking habits and what they get up to because of drink.

"We are not being stupid about it. We want to curb anti-social behaviour. If education does not solve that then we will use the courts."

After its success, more operations and education sessions are likely.

Hot-spot areas of the North Road area include North Road cemetery, Bensham Park, in Harrowgate Hill, and Station Road.

Councillor Gill Cartwright said problems had been reduced in Bensham Park.

She added: "I think education is better than punishment. It increases their awareness and is more likely to stop it in the future."

The initiative was organised by Darlington Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership. It involved Darlington Borough Council, the emergency services, the DVLA, the primary care trust and other agencies.

A council spokesman said: "One of the key elements of the action week was ensuring that the good work continued in the area once the week was over." involved to make sure that young people in the area are fully aware of the potential dangers of alcohol."