A curfew of 2100 BST could be imposed on under 16s

New powers have been granted to Durham Police by the town's district council.

The force says it will target trouble-hot spots, especially in the Gibside area, after reports of rowdy behaviour and underage drinking.

They will use dispersal orders which will give them the power to send home children under 16 found outside without an adult after 2100 BST.

Ch Insp Dave Hogg said the curfew would be used to target "hardened troublemakers."

Curb gangs

He said: "We are still deliberating about the dispersal orders, but if they do come into affect they will be used in an area like Gibside where there is an old people's home and row of shops where youths are congregating.

"We have had the usual problems of underage drinking and rowdiness and if we do use the powers they will be applied sensibly."

Last year the curfew was brought into force in Deneside in Seaham to curb gangs of rowdy youths.

Originally meant to run for six months, it was so successful police revoked it two weeks early.

Ian Broughton, of Chester-le-Street District Council, said the area did not have a particular problem with anti-social behaviour, and a "sensible approach" would be adopted.

He said: "We have an enviable reputation and have been held up by the Home Office as a shining example because of the way we deal with anti-social behaviour."