A CRACKDOWN on youngsters causing mayhem on a Darlington estate has proved a success.

In the past four months, the town's anti-social behaviour unit has made 35 arrests and contacted more than 90 families about the nuisance behaviour of their children.

The campaign has targeted Darlington Borough Council's Park East ward, which includes Skerne Park estate.

Uniformed wardens and police community support officers have been carrying out evening patrols on foot and in unmarked vehicles since the start of July. Youths found to be causing trouble have been dealt with in a number of ways, from arranging impromptu football matches to alleviate boredom to contacting families to advise them of their children's behaviour.

Of more than 90 families spoken to, only nine had to be contacted a second time because of repeat offending. In those cases, families have been provided with information about issues such as drugs, alcohol and housing services.

Youngsters dealt with by the team on several occasions are referred to the council's Community Safety Partnership youth team.

Seven young people have volunteered to take part in an outreach programme, designed to give them information and guidance on their actions.

The programme includes a visit to a prison to see where their actions could lead them.

The unit has arrested about 35 youths and adults in Park East since July, for a range of offences from burglary and theft to drunken behaviour. It has also discovered 17 stolen vehicles or motorbikes in the area.

Councillor Bill Dixon, the borough council's cabinet member for social services, said: "It is very pleasing to see our uniformed wardens working with Darlington police in the crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the town.

"The unit has enabled people in Park East to get to know their uniformed wardens and beat officers better, leading to more community support and sharing of information about anti-social behaviour."