VANDALISM and crime has been a recurring problem, Egglescliffe parish assembly was told.

In her report, parish council chairman Linda Vernon said various meetings had been held with different agencies to discuss the issue.

Councillor Maureen Rigg also highlighted the problem in her recreation report. She said: "Young people finding somewhere to go is a difficult and insoluble problem so far.

"Many young people know very well that gangs of teenagers can be intimidating even if there is no ill-intent.

"But there are a limited number of places they can go to socialise cheaply."

Coun Rigg said that the parish continued to liaise with Stockton Borough Council to provide better facilities for youngsters within easy reach.

But she said: "We don't have the capital for major schemes and I hope Stockton will try harder on this.