Operation Capone, a police effort to cut down on yob behaviour that caused many complaints in a rural area, was hailed yesterday as an outstanding success.

Bad behaviour by young people was reduced by 66.66 per cent during the seven week project in Barnard Castle, Co Durham, and the Teesdale villages around it.

Sergeant Bill Dutton, who led the operation, said yesterday: "We are delighted with the results, because it means the local residents have been spared from a great deal of needless trouble."

He said Teesdale now has one of the lowest rates of crime and disorder, including anti-social behaviour, in the country, and new youth facilities are helping to maintain this level.

Incidents of youths causing annoyance with rowdy conduct fell from 59 in summer last year to 19 this time, a reduction of 68 per cent. Complaints about young folk doing minor damage, causing a nuisance with vehicles and underage drinking dropped from a total of 10 to four, a 60 per cent fall.

Police concentrated their patrols on 10 hotspots named as trouble areas in previous years. They ranged from the grounds of the Bowes Museum to Scar Top in the town centre, Stainton Grove play area and riverbanks.

Sgt Dutton added: "At the start we were seizing alcohol from underage drinkers, approaching 50 cans in the first two weeks. But word got round that we were targeting those who were supplying alcohol, and the number of cans quickly decreased."

One person has been reported for possible prosecution for supplying drinks to underage youths, and three arrests were made for minor criminal damage.

But Sgt Dutton said: "The main success is in the preventive element. There is a noticeable difference in the numbers, behaviour and attitude of young people in the area that is incredibly encouraging.

"Barnard Castle has never had major disorder problems with young people but their actions are sometimes intimidating. That is what we have been trying tosolve."

In all police made 395 patrols around the 10 hotspots during the operation, named after the famous American gangster.

Last year the force got gfunding of £4,500 to help youth work in Teesdale, with the aim of civerting teenagers away from crime. This year it has received £400 from the community safety partnership to help football clubs. Another £400 has come from Co-operative Insurance to help cricket and rugby clubs.