FIVE teenagers whose vandalism, rowdiness and theft are said to have made people's lives an absolute misery have been banned from a community.

Two of the five youngsters, who have not been identified for legal reasons, were the first in Derwentside to receive anti-social behaviour orders.

One has been banned from entering South Moor while the other has been excluded from certain areas.

The other three signed a voluntary undertaking to stay away from parts of the community.

Derwentside District Council and Derwentside police both signalled their determination to use anti-social behaviour orders - under which courts restrict the movements of persistent trouble-makers - to reduce nuisance behaviour across the district.

The two restricted by orders, aged between 16 and 18, have been known to cause tens of thousands of pounds of damage over the last few years.

They and their companions have threatened and intimidated members of the public, shoplifted and vandalised property, including South Moor Library and local businesses.

The exclusion orders were obtained at magistrates' court and the youngsters know that if they break the conditions of the orders they could be locked up for up to five years.

The other three youngsters have been told that if they break their undertaking not to enter South Moor they too will face court orders.

Tom Clifford, community safety and information officer at Derwentside council, said that letters had been sent to the parents of 40 other youngsters in the district who have been causing trouble.

The council has also provided two video cameras for the police who record bad behaviour for evidence and to be shown to parents.

Chief Insp David Hogg of Derwentside police said: "We will have absolutely no hesitation in seeking further such orders."

Alex Watson, leader of Derwentside council, said: "These people really do make people's lives an absolute misery.

"I've had a number of these types of kids in to see me on several occasions and the thing is they're often not stupid kids. It's just a lack of discipline."

Derwentside, one of Britain's most economically deprived areas, has one of County Durham's lowest crime rates which actually dropped by 15 per cent between 1998 and 2001.

But violent crime rose in the same period and is significantly above the county's average.

Each anti-social behaviour order costs the council about £6,000 in legal expenses