A POLICE anti-social behaviour (Asbo) unit which has proved an outstanding success has been unexpectedly disbanded.

The unit was first launched by the Northern Area Command of Durham Constabulary, in Peterlee, in November 2004 and was given the full go ahead in March last year.

Since its formation, the unit has been operated by two officers from the force who, in close consultation with partner organisations, has secured a total of 30 Asbos, with a further 12 still on-going.

The key to the operation has been the monitoring of those who have orders imposed upon them to check for any breaches.

But little over a week ago, and without any prior warning or consultation, the unit was closed, giving the officers involved only six weeks to finalise operations.

The move took local authorities and the partnerships involved by surprise and has prompted councils such as Easington and Derwentside to call for urgent meetings with the police authority in an attempt to save the unit.

But at police headquarters at Aykley Heads, Superintendent Ian MacDonald, who is operations manager for the north area command, explained the reasons for the closure of the unit.

He said: "The decision to disband the anti-social behaviour unit was not an easy one to take. However, in common with all forces, we are being encouraged by the Home Office to develop our practices along the neighbourhood policing model.

"This means we need to re-deploy a number of officers currently in non-operational posts to maintain the highest possible level of frontline staff.''

He added: "I fully acknowledge the unit has done some excellent work since its inception, but I must stress this work will continue in future, albeit in a slightly different format.

"Asbos and similar orders will revert to being the responsibility of neighbourhood inspectors and their policing teams, which was the system in place before the unit was created.''

He added: "Residents and partner organisations can rest assured this re-deployment of staff will not affect our continuing efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour across the north command area.'