A CRACKDOWN on youth disorder at a string of teen hotspots is paying dividends, but there is still work to do, say police.

Officers in Derwentside two weeks ago launched an operation to tackle petty criminals and unruly teenagers who were blighting the lives of residents in villages around Stanley.

The first results, out on Tuesday, show that since the start of the crackdown, reports of crime and disorder across the area have more than halved.

Durham Police drafted in extra uniformed officers to mount high visibility patrols in the trouble spots of Annfield Plain, Catchgate, Burnopfield, Tantobie and Dipton.

A number of plain clothes officers were also sent in to target persistent offenders, through covert surveillance. Residents did their part through various Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

The team worked around the clock to beat the problem, but concentrated their efforts after 6pm, a prime time for the youngsters to congregate in large numbers.

Officers this week hailed the scheme a success.

Sgt Sue Murray said: "We took direct action when it became evident there was a wide ranging increase in crime and disorder across the board, throughout the section.

"Houses and garden sheds were being burgled, cars broken into and property damaged. At the same time, the unruly and disorderly behaviour of some teenagers was adding to the misery of local people."

And she issued a warning to youngsters to stay out of trouble. "The operation is clearly working and we are committed to keeping it going in the short term," she said.

"Those who think they can commit crime or cause trouble, particularly under the cover of darkness, should think again.

"We know who they are and we are determined, with the help of local residents, to collect the evidence that will make them answerable for their actions."

But police chiefs admitted there was more work to be done, after a dangerous spate of vandalism across nearby South Stanley last weekend.

Thugs threw bricks at six homes, smashing front windows and risking injuring someone inside.

Det Chief Insp Ronnie Vine of Derwentside Police said: "This is just wanton damage, but sooner or later, somebody is going to get hurt.

"We would like to talk to anybody who has any idea who is behind this."

Anyone with information should contact Stanley Police on (01207) 232144.