POLICE have launched a crackdown on gangs of youths causing problems in a north Durham village.

Chester-le-Street police commander Inspector Dave Marshall said the problem started about 12 months ago in Great Lumley and several youths were given warnings.

He said: "Now the trouble has re-emerged in the village and we want to get the message across to parents to be aware of what their charges are doing during the evenings."

Insp Marshall said police were getting complaints of gangs of 20 to 30 youths gathering in the main street, near the community centre in the village. They have also been meeting on the Millennium Green.

He said: "There are reports of them shouting abuse and causing a nuisance in other ways to members of the public. There are also complaints of them consuming alcohol and causing damage to property.

"Most of them are aged from 11 to 16 and they are from the neighbourhood. Parents must take responsibility for their children or we will."

Insp Marshall said police would be using a vehicle with a video camera in the crackdown on troublemakers.

He said: "We will capture on video those causing problems.

"Once the youths are identified the parents will be invited to see the kinds of problems their kids are causing."

Chester-le-Street District Council ward councillor Audrey Willis said: "It seems to be a small core who are the ringleaders. Youths are coming from surrounding villages as well. They have damaged cobbles on a mosaic, which forms part of the Millennium Green. We have also had a bus window smashed."

She said she had been in the community centre a fortnight ago when the fire brigade were called to the Millennium Green.

Coun Willis said: "As they approached it, I heard footsteps running away and heard a loud bang just inches away from the firemen. They had been laying in wait in the bushes for them."

She said the village cleaner sometimes had to remove up to two bags full of beer cans.

Insp Marshall warned that police had the powers take youths to court with anti-social behaviour orders imposed on persistent offenders.

He said: "We have used those powers in the past and will use them again."