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'Intimidating' youths spark town dispersal order

Google Chester-le-Street's Front Street. A sign marks the road as a pedestrian zone. The road is a single lane with double yellow lines on either side. A number of shops line the high street.Google
Durham Police said a group of youths were carrying out anti-social behaviour in Chester-le-Street

A dispersal order has been put in place in a town centre after a group of youths began intimidating people.

Durham Police said officers dealt with the behaviour earlier in the week on St Cuthbert's Walk in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

The dispersal order covers Front Street and the surrounding area until 18:00 GMT on Saturday and the force said those causing trouble would be moved on or arrested.

Insp Simon Hogg said the anti-social behaviour in the area was "completely unacceptable".

"Chester-le-Street town centre should be a place for everyone to enjoy, not spoiled by a small number of individuals causing anti-social behaviour," he said.

"Those who choose to cause issues will be dealt with robustly."

Extra officers would be on patrol over the weekend to "monitor the situation", the force said.

Durham Police A map of Chester-le-Street town centre. A red line has been drawn around the area covered by the dispersal order. It includes Front Street, the cricket grounds and Market Place.Durham Police
The dispersal order is in place along Front Street and the surrounding area

The dispersal order covers Front Street, from the cricket ground, down to Market Place.

It also covers much of the surrounding area, including Mains Park Road, Clarence Terrace and Co-operative Street.

The order gives officers the power to move people on and ban them from the area if they are believed to be engaging in anti-social behaviour.

Those who ignore the order can be arrested.

Taking to social media, Durham Police asked parents to check they knew where their children were.

"This is not acceptable behaviour and as a result of this we have had to take intrusive action to try and control the anti-social behaviour in this area," a spokesperson said.

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