PROBLEM residents have been warned that they could face prosecution as police and street wardens join forces to clean up streets close to an £11m visitor attraction.

Yesterday, Shildon police met Sedgefield Borough Council's street wardens to launch operation Axenic, which aims to combat litter problems and anti-social behaviour in New Shildon.

The operation will target the Bouch Street, Adamson Street and All Saints areas, where people have complained in the past about litter strewn in back alleys and general anti-social behaviour.

Moves have already been made to clear the back streets, with Sedgefield Borough Council issuing fixed penalty notices to litter louts, and police patrols have been stepped up in the area.

Both authorities have vowed to make sure the streets, which are in close proximity to Locomotion: National Railway Museum, offer a better quality of life for residents.

Sergeant Steve Ball said: "Residents tell me that this used to be a desirable place to live but it has declined in recent years. We want to make sure that this quality of life returns.

"I want to stress that this is a multi-agency approach. This is a joint operation with us and the council and we will exercise whatever powers are available to us.''

Sgt Ball said problem tenants or residents could face either eviction or an anti-social behaviour order if they continued to offend.

The operation will see beat officers patrolling the streets alongside street wardens.

Glyn Hall, director of neighbourhood services at the borough council, said "We are bringing together our neighbourhood wardens, street scene operatives and the police to jointly tackle the problems that exist in the area.

"We intend to use a mix of short-term initiatives targeting anti-social residents.

"Long-term, we will be working with private landlords to support them in dealing with the small minority of problem private sector tenants. We also look forward to the opportunities in the Governments new Housing Bill to explore the licensing of private landlords.