PRIVATE security patrols are to be introduced to help curb low-level anti-social behaviour in a town's green spaces.

The trial scheme will see security company staff checking parks in Seaham in a bid to deter young drinkers and put the lid on yobbish activity.

The town council has agreed to fund the pilot patrol operation, seen as a short-term measure, to the tune of £5,000.

It follows feedback from the public about continuing unruly behaviour, including criminal damage in some park areas.

In one incident, a dog walker had part of an ear bitten off following a confrontation with youths smashing bottles in Deneside Park, while a recent clean-up in Hazel Dene, Dawdon, saw the recovery of 370 vodka and wine bottles.

Details of the patrols are not being divulged, to maintain an element of surprise, but the scheme is being run in conjunction with police in Seaham, whose own patrols have been stepped up at weekends.

Mike Preston, the town council's parks and recreation manager, said: "We hope the extra security will give greater reassurance to the public, so people feel safe in our parks."

North-East Securities will mount the two-person patrols for a provisional four-week period, after which it will be assessed.

The measure will back up new powers being sought to combat drink-related disorder in Seaham. Easington District Council is looking at making trouble-spots such as parks and shopping areas into drink-free zones.

Anyone breaching the drink ban in the designated areas could risk a fine of up to £500 if they refuse to hand over bottles or cans of alcohol to officers.

But police say that there were no plans to bring back a 9pm curfew for under-16s, which proved a success in the Deneside area, in 2004.

Sergeant Garry Webb said that powers such as dispersal orders were still available to the police and he believed that the situation had improved in the past three years.