Extra patrols for trouble areas

Around £65,000 of government cash is to be spent dealing with troublemakers in a County Durham town.

Darlington Council is to spend the money on deploying an extra van which will be manned by its anti-crime team or police to patrol crime hotspots.

It is hoped the mobile unit will act as a deterrents and will especially target gangs hanging around outside schools.

A social worker will also be employed to try and help young people caught causing trouble on the streets.