TEENAGE tearaways causing havoc on a residential estate will become the first in a North-East county to be placed under a night-time curfew.

An order under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act is to be imposed on the Deneside area of Seaham, in east Durham, from Monday.

Measures brought in under Section 30 of the Act give police the power to disperse groups of two or more youths if they are thought to be causing a nuisance.

Officers can also order anyone who does not live in the designated area to leave and not return within 24 hours, as well as taking under-16s home if they ignore the 9pm to 6am curfew.

The restrictions will affect an area flanked by Graham Way, Station Road and Westlea Road, and will last six months.

The decision to bring in the order follows continued disruption caused by gangs of young people, sometimes up to 40 at a time.

Residents have complained of vandalism, damage to cars and of feeling like prisoners in their homes.

Underage drinking has also been a persistent problem, which the police have been targeting.

Two shops recently had their drinks licences withdrawn after they were found to have sold alcohol to under-18s on several occasions.

Youths involved have tried to combat the crackdown by pestering adults on the estate to buy alcohol for them.

Attempts to encourage teenagers into diversionary sporting schemes have failed, and youth workers have found themselves the target of abuse.

Chief Inspector Dave Hogg, of Durham Police, said: "On average, we get 50 calls a month from people in Deneside complaining of anti-social behaviour by young people. Quite simply, doing nothing is not an option."

The initiative is backed by Easington District Council.

Local county councillor Albert Nugent said: "Local people have been crying out for something to be done, and now this legislation is in place, Seaham police are to be congratulated for using it so quickly."

Tougher approaches are also being tried in an effort to improve life for those in Deneside, including issuing Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders for persistent offenders.

The move follows the success of a curfew imposed on rowdy teenagers in Wigton, Cumbria, over the Easter holiday.

Cumbria Police inspector Dave Barr said: "The new legislation appears to be working very well.

"The figures for crime and disorder involving young people are a fraction of what we would expect."

Although the curfew in Wigton was temporary, police are considering imposing another curfew during the half-term holiday.