CURFEWS banning teenagers from the streets of crime-hit areas have been backed by the leader of one of the region's biggest councils.

Police would be able to apply to local authorities for curfews banning children aged up to 15 from being outside without an adult in named streets or estates, at night.

Sunderland City Council leader, Councillor Colin Anderson, last night welcomed the proposal, due to be included in a Bill to be put before Parliament by Home Secretary Jack Straw.

He said: "This would be a good addition to the armoury we already have in place, such as anti-social behaviour orders and parenting orders.

"The curfews might be useful in some cases, particularly in parts of big towns or cities where you get children from one estate arranging to fight children from another estate.

"It's also important to think of the safety of the children, why should any ten or 11-year-olds be wandering around the streets late at night?

"However, we must remember that the vast majority of children are not doing any harm."

Parents would face fines of up to £1,000 for a first offence, if their child breached a curfew.

Repeated breaches could result in the parents being jailed, with children placed in care