EXTRA police patrols are to take to the streets in a remote village this weekend after an upsurge in rowdy behaviour.

Over the past two weeks, police say there has been a rash of night-time offending by marauding teenage gangs in the village of Burnhope, near Lanchester, County Durham.

Officers have received a number of calls complaining about noisy drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour and a spate of criminal damage.

Now parents are being urged to intervene, with police warning that those responsible will face prosecution or anti-social behaviour order proceedings.

Sergeant Ian Robson said: "There are 500 homes in Burnhope and the trouble is coming from about 40 youngsters aged between 11 and 17 who all live there.

"They are moving about in groups of 10 to 15 and causing serious disruption after dark.

"We have logged two dozen complaints about anti-social behaviour since the turn of the year, and another dozen incidents of criminal damage.

"We have already put on extra high-profile patrols, but that will be stepped up this weekend and will be maintained in the weeks ahead.

"But we also plan to take action in a variety of forms that we do not plan to make public at the moment."

While he conceded there were few organised activities for youngsters in the village - and said any ideas for diversionary schemes would be welcomed - Sgt Robson made a direct appeal to village parents to talk to their children about the problem.

He said: "These youngsters are your sons and daughters - do you know where they are and what they are doing when they go out?

"You have a responsibility to find out, not least when villagers' lives are being made unbearable by this unruly behaviour."

Any villagers wishing to contact the police can do so by calling 0845 60 60 365, by visiting the twice-monthly police surgeries, which take place on Wednesday mornings in the village housing office, or at the StreetSafe box in the post office.