Partners unite in anti-social crime fight

But the message from the meeting, held to update an action plan on the issue, was that everyone needs to work together to solve the problem.

The meeting, organised by the Darlington Partnership and held in the Dolphin Centre, included a follow-up report to a conference on anti-social behaviour held in May.

Chief Supt Michael Banks said measures taken since the conference have included the establishment of a specialist anti-social behaviour team.

He outlined the many different forms of anti-social behaviour, ranging from drunkenness, abusive behaviour or throwing objects at houses.

Chief Supt Banks produced a long list of examples of work carried out in Darlington since the previous conference.

This included imposing anti-social behaviour orders, writing to parents of young people found causing problems, raiding drug dealers, installing CCTV cameras and providing more activities for young people. But he said: "Anti-social behaviour, simple as it might seem, is a complex issue and needs complex solutions.

"Some of them can be done straight away and some need more long term work."

John Williams, leader of Darlington Borough Council, stressed the need for everyone to work together in tackling problems of anti-social behaviour.

He said: "The police can't do it by themselves, the council can't do it by themselves, nor can the courts or the community.

"It needs everybody to work together and be responsible. We can't just say it's somebody else's responsibility, that approach won't work if we're going to tackle this successfully.

"In my view we're in this for the long term, it's not something that can be sorted overnight like decorating your house."

Coun Williams said that the town's MP, Alan Milburn, had been unable to attend the meeting due to prior commitments.

But he said: "He asked me to assure everybody that it remains and will remain at the forefront of his campaigning in Darlington to reduce anti-social behaviour."