POLICE have issued warnings to gangs of youths caught throwing stones and eggs at cars travelling along a Darlington road.

A number of complaints have been made to police by drivers and residents about youths throwing things at cars in Neasham Road.

One taxi driver had more than 30 eggs thrown at his car. A stone was thrown at another taxi, almost breaking the vehicle's rear window.

Mick Kennedy, of the Darlington Taxi Drivers' Association, said: "Someone is going to get seriously hurt or killed if these kids don't stop what they are doing.

"There are gangs of up to 20 youngsters on both sides of the road and they just pelt the cars as they go past.

"Drivers are swerving all over the road when they get hit, and if something manages to break a windscreen it could be really serious.

"It is endangering drivers, passengers and the young people themselves.

"On top of that, cars are getting damaged when they are hit by stones as well as needing cleaning to get rid of the eggs.

"We have called the police, but as soon as the kids see the marked cars they run away - it doesn't seem anything can be done to stop them."

A police spokesman confirmed they had received complaints about youths in the area and had spoken to some youngsters about their behaviour.

The spokesman said: "We have taken the details of some youths and warned them about what they are doing, but drivers have been unable to identify the specific individuals involved so there is little more we can do.

"It is totally unacceptable for youths to be throwing things at cars and it could be extremely dangerous.

"We would urge them to stop what they are doing and think about the consequences of their actions."

The incidents in Neasham Road follow similar incidents elsewhere in Darlington where youths were throwing objects at buses.

Both Stagecoach and Arriva bus operators reported that their vehicles had been attacked by gangs of youths in the Red Hall, Branksome and Cockerton areas of the town.