POLICE operations are continuing to try and stamp out anti-social behaviour taking place around a Newton Aycliffe school.

Residents living near Woodham Community and Technology College raised the issue at a meeting with staff and police officers.

They say youngsters from the school are vandalising property, taking illegal substances and threatening residents in Washington Crescent and surrounding streets.

PC Fiona Cunningham, designated beat officer for the area, said: "There are 1,250 youngsters attending this school and the problem is being created by around 40 youngsters.

"There are a number of operations that have been ongoing for some time and are continuing to run and they are being fully supported by Neighbourhood Watch for the Washington Crescent area."

"Additionally, at weekends there are different kinds of problems of an anti-social nature caused by youngsters gathering in the area, not necessarily from the school.

"That is being addressed by us and a considerable amount of police time is being devoted to this problem.

"The youngsters appear to have been moving to the burn area and that too is now the subject of police activity.

"The suggestion when they go there is they are illegally drinking or taking illegal substances."