A CLEAN-UP operation launched to stamp out fly tipping, littering and anti-social behaviour in streets near a recently-opened multi-million pound railway museum has been hailed a success.

Operation Axenic was launched in July by Sedgefield Borough Council and Shildon police to help improve the streets in New Shildon.

Action was taken following complaints about anti-social behaviour and litter strewn back streets in the Bouch Street, Adamson Street and All Saints area, which is just yards away from where visitors park their cars to go to Locomotion: the National Railway Museum.

Since the start of the operation, the police have made 28 arrests, searched seven houses and completed 20 searches of people in the street.

Offences leading to arrest included possession of drugs, possession of weapons, public disorder, racial harassment, assault, criminal damage and ten breaches of anti-social behaviour orders.

Sergeant Steve Ball, from Shildon police, said: "We are really pleased with the way that the operation has worked. We have had a lot of positive feedback and we have never worked better with the borough council.

"It has been an excellent partnership which will definitely continue.''

The council's street scene service has used more than 400 extra man hours in the area, clearing 30 tonnes of waste.

They claim the level of dumping in the area has been reduced by more than 50 per cent and the standard of cleanliness of the street and back alleys in the area has improved significantly.

Both the police and the council's community safety team are also pursuing two anti-social behaviour orders, and are attempting to get both residents evicted from their homes.

There have also been 21 fixed penalty notices issued, ten of which have been paid, and the others are to be prosecuted by the council for non-payment.

The borough council's lead member for the environment, Councillor Alan Hodgson, said: "This is an excellent example of effective joint working between the police, borough council, and the local community to address issues affecting the quality of the environment in our neighbourhoods.''