A FORMER pit village has become the first in County Durham to have an enforced 'drink-free zone.'

The alcohol-restricted area has been imposed in Dipton, between Consett and Stanley.

Derwentside council and Durham Constabulary have acted following scores of reported incidents where drunken locals have been involved in assaults, intimidating behaviour and vandalism.

Last April there were even drink-related problems while a funeral was taking place in the village, which has about 2,700 residents.

Police have dealt with complaints about stones being thrown at passing cars, youths playing 'chicken' across the roads, threats being made to passers-by, problems with litter and damage to the bowling green.

Insp Ian Proud, community inspector for Stanley and the surrounding area, said: "The order is only there because of a small number of individuals, most of them adults, who act as a magnet for those around them.

"Sometimes they spend all day drinking on the streets of the village, frequently accompanied by large numbers of hangers-on."

It is now an offence for any person within the zone - which covers effectively the whole of the village - to drink alcohol in public after being requested not to do so by a police officer.

Insp Proud added: "By being able to seize alcohol from anyone drinking in public we have a better chance of preventing drunken behaviour before it happens.

"But this is not the only tool we have in the box. Other methods will be used to deal with anyone causing trouble, including extra patrols at busy times."

In 1999 Dipton had just nine reported instances of criminal damage, youths causing annoyance, general disturbances or requests for police assistance.

But four years later the total had increased to 66, prompting lengthy discussions between the police, council and residents.

In theory the order lasts indefinitely, however the situation will be reviewed on a regular basis.

Insp Proud said: "It has been a very quiet weekend and we have only had one incident where we had to warn people about the new regulations but we did not seize any alcohol from them.

"The council has erected signs warning people it is an alcohol-free zone and from talking to people in the village they are fully aware of it."

He said early indicators were very encouraging but they were not assuming the problem had been dealt with once and for all.