Vehicles have been confiscated and sent to the crusher after causing chaos in a County Durham village by tearing up green verges.

The drivers of a beaten-up Suzuki have been causing "havoc" in the Brandon area over the last few days.

The police said the motorists were driving dangerously on the roads, pavements, and fields, putting members of the public at risk and damaging the green areas.

A spokseperson for Durham Constabularu said: "We suspected the culprits lived locally and so officers from the Framwellgate Moor and Meadowfield Neighbourhood Team came in early today on a mission to find it, seize it, and crush it.

“Mission accomplished.

"We are struggling to understand the mentality of the drivers of the vehicle and wonder.

"Why are they intent on wrecking the area where they live?

"And why would they want to endanger the children who play there?

"If you are plagued by the anti social use of motor vehicles please report this using 101 or make contact with your local neighbourhood team.

"Please get a good description of the vehicle, the registration if possible, and if your dash cam happens to capture the vehicle this footage would be really handy."

Officers are undertaking further enquiries and will prosecute the offenders when they are identified.

Two vehicles are now en route to the "crusher".