POLICE attempts to stop yob behaviour in a rural area were hailed as a success yesterday.

Bad behaviour by young people has been reduced by two-thirds during the seven-week Operation Capone in Barnard Castle and surrounding villages.

Sergeant Bill Dutton, who led the police operation, said: "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 a number of new youth activities are helping to maintain this.

Incidents of youths causing annoyance through rowdy conduct fell from 59 in summer last year to 19 this year, a reduction of 68 per cent.

Complaints about young people causing minor damage, a nuisance with vehicles and underage drinking dropped from ten to four, a 60 per cent fall.

Police concentrated their patrols on ten hotspots, which have become trouble areas over the years, including the grounds of the Bowes Museum, Scar Top in the town centre, Stainton Grove play area and the riverbanks.

Sgt Dutton said: "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 to solve."

In all, police made 395 patrols around the ten hotspots during the operation.

Last year, the force received £4,500 to help youth work in Teesdale, with the aim of diverting 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.