AN emergency meeting has been called after reports of drink and drug-fuelled antisocial behaviour re-emerging at a notorious Darlington hotspot.

Police and councillors will meet residents from Nightingale Avenue and the surrounding streets to discuss complaints about 30-strong gangs of youths congregating on the street, drinking, throwing stones, giving abuse and behaving aggressively.

Residents also say people have been taking drugs in Springfield Park, and litter and graffiti blight the cut between Nightingale Avenue and Hardwick Close.

The problems started in June and have carried on throughout the summer.

Nightingale Avenue and the surrounding streets were the site of Darlington's first dispersal order in October 2006 after the police were called out 210 times in six months to deal with anti-social behaviour.

The order meant groups were prohibited from gathering in the area if they were causing, or likely to cause, alarm or distress, and gave police powers to ban individuals from the area for 24 hours.

The penalty for breaking the order was up to three months in jail or a £2,500 fine.

Councillor Nick Wallis said reinstating the order was an option as a last resort.

"It is an option, but not at this stage, " he said. "Clearly, if we don't get matters sorted I would be looking at that again.

"Residents have been complaining that teenagers have been drinking, making a nuiscance of themselves, being abusive, trying to get adults to buy them drink, throwing stones and behaving aggressively.

"Some people had had very unpleasant experiences indeed."

He said residents had also reported evidence of drugtaking in Springfield Park.

Durham Police have been made aware of the issues and will be meeting residents, as well as Coun Wallis and Councillor Andy Scott, on Wednesday to discuss the problems.

Chief Inspector Chris Reeves said police were taking the issue extremely seriously.

"We are looking at launching an operation similar to Stay Safe, where police will pick up teenagers who have been drinking, and take them to a place of safety until their parents or guardians can collect them, " he said.

"This is then followed up by agencies, including Darlington Borough Council and NHS Darlington, to make sure any underlying issues are addressed."

Chief Insp Reeves said they would be cracking down on any shops they suspected of serving alcohol to those underage, and reminding adults it was an offence to buy it for under-18s. "I am confident we are going to nip this in the bud, " he added.

The meeting starts at 6pm in the Salvation Army building in Thompson Street East.

All residents are welcome.

Coun Andy Scott, cabinet member for health and partnerships, said: "We would encourage any resident concerned about anti-social behaviour in the area to attend the meeting.

"By bringing residents and partners together and identifying what we need to do to tackle anti-social behaviour; we hope to make a real and quick difference."