RADIO advertisements are backing up a police campaign urging young people: "Don't Damage Your Future".

The ads take to the airwaves this week as the latest feature of Operation Dillon, aimed at combating criminal damage across County Durham and Darlington.

Among measures used have been regular visits to schools by youth issues officers and thousands of posters have been distributed to libraries, community centres and educational premises.

The radio messages are being aired at regular intervals daily, on regional station, Galaxy, until early January.

The script points out that what appears to be a minor crime can lead to an arrest, a DNA sample being taken and potential further police action for the perpetrator.

Its message is that, "future hopes and ambitions can be ruined by a moment's madness".

Listeners may recognise the voice used in the broadcasts as the ex-Byker Grove star, Chester-le-Street-born actor Andrew Hayden Smith.

Funding for the advertisement campaign has been provided by the crime and disorder reduction partnerships across Derwentside, Durham, Chester-le-Street and Easington.

Area neighbourhood policing manager Chief Inspector John Bell said the slots on Galaxy were just part of a lengthy campaign to win hearts and minds.

"There is no quick fix to the problem of criminal damage, we have always taken a long-term view," he said.

"The new radio adverts get the point across in a forceful and imaginative way."