VICTIMS of anti-social behaviour are being encouraged to speak out about their concerns.
People in Darlington are being urged not to suffer in silence but talk to the police or local council officers if they are being subjected to harassment or abuse.
Both authorities are working in partnership to raise people's awareness of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, which can be imposed on anyone terrorising the community or causing nuisance.
Five orders have been imposed on people in the borough in the past 18 months. The most recent was imposed on a 16-year-old boy at Darlington Youth Court on Friday.
Magistrates imposed the order, with a list of conditions, after the teenager admitted harassing three people in the town, causing one woman to leave the area.
Darlington Borough Council's housing department and the police worked together to apply for the order.
Sgt Paul Robinson, of Darlington police, said: "We want to encourage other people in areas of Darlington to have the confidence to come forward if they are victims of anti-social behaviour.
"In the past people have been reluctant to do so for fear of repercussions or a feeling that nothing will be done.
"We want to assure people that is we have sufficient evidence then we will take these offenders to court."
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