Officers will ban any unruly youths causing anti-social behaviour in Durham city centre after their "unacceptable" behaviour "mortified" parents.
A dispersal order has been put in place over the weekend across the city of Durham commencing at 5pm on Friday, March 25. It will last the whole weekend and extra officers will be on patrol as police try to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Durham Constabulary has warned that anyone suspected of potentially causing anti-social behaviour will be given a dispersal order. This will ban them from the city centre and if this is ignored, they will be arrested.
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It comes after several teenagers were escorted home to parents and some arrested and interviewed following recent weekend disturbances which also saw property damaged. Inspector Dave Clark, of Durham Constabulary, said parents are often "mortified" upon learning of their child's actions.
He said: "Officers have had to escort several young people back home following unacceptable behaviour in the city centre and often the parents are mortified as they did not raise their children to behave in such a way.
"Young people think they’re invincible but there’s a very real chance they could end up with a criminal record – please don’t let that be your child."
The dispersal order comes into force at 5pm on Friday, March 25 and lasts the whole weekend.