A BLITZ to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour is under way in Stanley.

Durham Police have drafted in an average of 14 extra officers a day as part of a campaign to run for the rest of the summer holidays.

The aim is to target youth nuisance, drug taking, drunkenness, violence and criminal damage at various hot spots in the town centre and surrounding areas.

Officers have spent three months collating intelligence to help them focus on areas where the problems are greatest.

They have identified the intimidation to passengers at the bus station in the town centre as well as drunken behaviour and violence in Front Street at weekends.

The exercise has also revealed problems with shoplifters in the town centre and off-road motorcyclists in more rural locations as well as abusive gangs of youths drinking and taking drugs in communities such as South Stanley and Shield Row.

Inspector Ian Proud, of Stanley Police, said: "These sort of things have a very negative effect on people's quality of life.

"Some people want to move out of the town because they do not think Stanley is a nice place to live. Communities begin to believe they have not got anyone to turn to.

"People should be able to go out in the evening without being subject to yobbish behaviour."

To combat the problems the police have formed three teams.

The reactive team follows up ongoing inquiries with named suspects and forensic evidence such as fingerprints and DNA.

The proactive team acts on intelligence from members of the public, while the community team will increase patrols in the area to deal with issues as they happen.

There will also be an increase in motor patrols in the area and a team of three dedicated officers on off-road motorbikes to catch young people who ride them illegally.

Insp Proud said: "Various parts of the community feel they are not getting enough support from officers and we want to restore people's confidence in the police."

The scheme is part of the force's Street Safe initiative and has already been tested in Brandon, Sacriston and Pelton, where it had dramatic results in combating anti- social behaviour.

To report concerns, call 0845 6060365.