A multi-agency operation saw patrols take to the streets across the borough of Darlington in a bid to clampdown on anti-social behaviour at the weekend.
Civic enforcement officers, part of Darlington Borough Council’s Community Safety Team, joined forces with Durham Police, Social Care (Emergency Duty Team), YMCA, Licensing, Trading Standards and SWITCH (young person’s drug and alcohol service), for Operation Staysafe.
The initiative saw the multi-agency patrols targeting hotspot areas such as parks, the town centre and the Denes, in a bid to tackle alcohol-related youth nuisance and to identify and support vulnerable youngsters.
Some of the young people were taken to a place of safety and several bottles/cans of alcohol were confiscated during the operation on Friday evening (12 April) from groups of young people.
The young people were collected from the place of safety by their parents or guardians, and one was returned home. They were given suitable advice about anti-social behaviour.
Trading Standards and Licensing made several visits to off-licences and seized 30 boxes of counterfeit cigarettes from one premises.
Graham Hall, Darlington Borough Council’s head of community safety, said:
“We work closely with Durham Police and other partners in tackling anti-social behaviour and this was one of a series of multi-agency operations planned to target youth alcohol-related nuisance, which also aims to remove vulnerable young people from the streets.
“Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and we will continue to work with partners to ensure Darlington is a safe place for residents and visitors.”
Inspector Chris Knox, Darlington Neighbourhood Police Inspector, said:
“Staysafe operations are about tackling youth related nuisance fuelled by the consumption of alcohol, which often places young people in vulnerable situations. The operations are designed to identify groups of young people and make them safe.
“As part of the operation we also look at identifying those premises which have supplied the youths with alcohol and speaking to the parents of youths identified to inform them of their children’s activities.
“This is an opportune time to ask parents if they know where their children are and who they are with, and also to warn them about supplying their children with alcohol and the dangers they could be placing them as a result.”
If you are experiencing or witnessing anti-social behaviour then please contact the Police on 101. In an emergency situation please dial 999.
Residents in the Darlington area can also report issues to the Community Safety Team’s civic enforcement officers on 01325 406999, out of hours calls are automatically transferred to the CCTV team. Please provide as many details as possible (names, dates, locations and times).