POLICE in Spennymoor are tackling a blip in the town’s falling record of underage drinking and anti social behaviour head-on.

For about a year, anti social behaviour in the town centre was declining. But about two months ago a number of incidents were reported and the issue was raised at PACT (police and communities together) meetings.

Businesses and residents complained about criminal damage including two windows that were smashed, drain pipes being ripped from a wall and trampled flower beds.

Spennymoor neighbourhood policing team hope to stop the problem escalating with a series of measures which include working closely with other organisations.

Free training, run in conjunction with Durham Police’s alcohol harm reduction unit (AHRU) and Durham County Council Trading Standards, was given to retailers and staff on the law, spotting fake identification and conflict resolution.

Off licences in the area have been signed up to Operation Aries, a multi agency crackdown on underage drinking, and shops suspected of selling drink to children or adults to pass on to children, which is known as proxy sales, have been targeted.

As a result a man was issued with a £90 penalty notice for buying alcohol for a group of teenage girls.

Officers are carrying out stop checks on youths to ensure they are not drinking and have testing strips that detect alcohol in soft drinks. During January and February alcohol was seized from youngsters on ten occasions.

Acting Inspector Dave Barker said: “This is a blip on a good record on anti social behaviour.

“We had so few incidents reported to us over the last year that four or five acts of criminal damage, albeit low level, seem a significant rise.

“When people see groups of youths, especially if they are drinking and behaving in a rowdy manner, it can be intimidating.

“We hope to nip this situation in the bud and the team is committed to working with partners and young people to deal with this.”

Talks have been given in schools to raise awareness among youngsters about the risks of drinking.

He added: “A key concern is the health implications for children, we don’t want young people putting themselves in danger, ending up in A&E or becoming vulnerable to sexual exploitation.

“Officers are always on the lookout, particularly at weekends and with a school break coming up they will be out there taking action and raising awareness as necessary.”