POLICE have launched a crackdown on anti-social behaviour in a village by replacing a street sign.

Uniformed officers removed the sign at “Wrights Way” in the small village of Burnhope, in north Durham, because it had been put up without permission.

Council workers replaced it with a sign for Front Street, while the sign for Wrights Court – which appears on Google Maps – was replaced with one for Burnhope Court.

An order announcing the move was delivered to the 12 homes that make up the two streets in September – on the day that more than 150 police officers and 50 officials from the Environment Agency carried out dawn raids in the village.

Yesterday, police chiefs held a press conference saying the sign glorified a small antisocial minority.

Durham Police Deputy Chief Constable Mike Barton said: “This is to do with a number of people, and not just people who are called Wright.

“Indeed, the majority of people who are called Wright have nothing to fear.”

However, one local man said the press conference was the latest move in a campaign of police harassment.

Alan Wright, whose family admit to having put up the street sign, said he had been victimised.

He said: “I am 45 and I have had one offence in all my life and not dishonesty.

“If I am involved in criminality, send me to prison.”

Chief Inspector Dave Turner said the street signs had been a constant reminder to people in the village of the “fear, intimidation and... activity carried out by an organised gang”.

He said: “There is an organised group in this area who believed they can act with impunity.

“They have paraded their wealth, and our message is that it is not being tolerated.

“It is our intention to make life for this gang as uncomfortable and as unbearable as possible. Even the smallest thing like a name change can make a difference and send a strong message.”

Allegations of illegal tipping, waste disposal and car scrapping offences are still being investigated. As yet, no charges have been brought.

Mr Wright said a pregnant mother-of-two had been caught up in the September raids.

He said: “The police spent £1.5m four-and-a-half years ago using forensic accountants.

We have been completely exonerated of all charges.”