There are concerns about damage to the war memorial

The action to crack down on Hartlepool's Victory Square and the war memorial being used comes after a number of complaints.

From Monday there will be a campaign to make skateboarders aware of the situation before enforcement action starts in July.

Facilities are being improved in the Mill House skate park to make it more attractive.

For the awareness-raising events, police, members of Hartlepool Council's environmental action team, Middleton Grange Shopping centre security staff, youth workers and community wardens will be talking to skateboarders.

Extra patrols

The enforcement action starting in July will involve the police issuing a reprimand, two warnings and then reporting offenders to the council for prosecution.

A council spokesman said: "Action to enforce the by-law banning skateboarding is proposed due to the number of complaints that we have been receiving from members of the public over damage being caused to the war memorial and the lack of respect being shown to it.

"We hope that prosecutions will not prove necessary and that the skateboarders will move to alternative locations."

The Mill House park will have improved CCTV, community wardens will run extra patrols and those using it will be able to use toilets at the nearby Mill House Leisure Centre.