SPYING on youngsters could wreck a scheme to create a meeting area in Yarm.

This was the view of a town councillor as it emerged police could seek to observe such a place for trouble.

Thinking of the project as the start of a mini-crime wave was the wrong approach, said Coun Jake Dale.

"Most kids are not pre-disposed to trouble. They just want somewhere to hang out."

Coun Dale spoke out as the council considered a suggestion for a meeting point at The Meadowings playing field.

Recreation committee chairman Coun Eric Turton said the idea was to have police participation with the aim of getting older children away from a junior play area.

He said the police would prefer a site which could be observed and which would cause minimum disruption to the public.

Coun Marjorie Simpson said: "We need to ask residents what they think."

The meeting point would be partly covered, "reasonably vandal-proof" and about 70 yards away from homes.

Coun Dale said: "Yarm desperately needs something like this. We have to think seriously about it."

But when Coun Turton said police would like camera observance, he said: "Most young people are not doing any harm at all. If we are going to start spying on them with the assumption they are going to break the law we are not treating them as they should be treated.

"Many just want to have a chat, not kick doors down. We should not think they are going to spark a mini-crime wave."

Coun Turton said a partnership approach was desirable.

Council chairman Coun Liz Marsden agreed that residents should be consulted. "I want to see this working," she said.

She suggested a meeting with police, Conyers School, Stockton Council and the young people to thrash out details.

"Residents need to see who is going to be using the area and that there are not going to be rampaging mobs around. That will help get it off the ground," she said.

Councillors agreed in principle that if a suitable piece of council land could be found, it should be developed in partnership with the police.

Coun Turton will prepare a draft proposal and talk to Conyers with a view to the school taking part in a survey.