GANGS of teenage tearaways behind a rise in reported crime in communities around Catterick Garrison are the subject of a public meeting on Monday night.

Hipswell, Colburn and Catterick Village have been included in a police operation aimed specifically at clamping down on young vandals and thugs who are the cause of numerous complaints. The forum, at 7pm, is at Scotton Village Hall - and local police officers will attend.

Ward member of Richmondshire District Council, Pat Middlemiss, said: "We are already working closely with Hipswell to get CCTV cameras. A survey showed most residents did want it and we are now putting a petition together.

"We also want to set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the village to tackle the amount of vandalism and the number of houses broken into.'