Police pledge crackdown on anti-social behaviour, Teesdale Mercury

RESIDENTS living near the Demesnes in Barnard Castle could soon have their peace restored after police issued a warning to young drivers. 

People living in the quiet area of the town have expressed their concerns at the levels of noise coming from young people gathering in cars at the local beauty spot. 

The issue was raised at the latest Barnard Castle Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting and officers agreed to make monitoring the situation a priority. 

At this month’s meeting, the situation was brought up again and police have agreed to continue watching the area and have issued a strong 

warning to motorists causing a nuisance. 

Police said they are not targeting young people who are parked at the area not making a noise; it is the motorists who are causing a disturbance that they will tackle. 

Sgt Chris Knox said: “We will support young people using the Demesnes for social purposes but will take action against those behaving in an anti-social manner or committing crimes. 

“As with many of these things it’s the minority spoiling it for the majority.”

Those causing a disturbance will get a warning in the first instance and if they are caught a second time the vehicle can be seized and taken to a compound, where the owner will have to pay for it to be released. 

Sgt Knox also appealed for the parents of the young motorists to be aware of their children’s behaviour – as many of the drivers causing a disturbance are using vehicles that are registered to their mothers and fathers. 

He also warned that officers would go to the homes of the parents if the vehicles were registered to them. 

He said: “We are asking parents to take some responsibility and asking young people to have consideration for the residents who live in the area.”