Incidents of disorder fell from 45 a month to nine

The crackdown was introduced on Throston Grange estate in Hartlepool after a spate of incidents, including vandalism and setting fire to bins.

During the curfew, incidents fell from 45 a month to just nine, and police say there is no need to continue it since the message has been passed on.

Under the curfew, children were ordered home if found on the streets after 9pm.

'Successful scheme'

The order ended on Tuesday, but police are warning troublemakers they cannot go back to their old ways since a new beat officer has been taken on to patrol the estate.

Pc Shelly Watson, of Cleveland Police's anti-social behaviour unit, said trouble was caused by a small minority.

She said: "The vast majority of children in the area do not cause trouble and thought the scheme was a little unfair so we had to show balance in our approach.

"Many forces run the scheme for six months. We ran it for a month but made sure it was well publicised before it came into force.

"It has been very successful and we believe we have got our message across."

The anti-social behaviour order gave police the powers to send home youngsters under 16 years found out after 9pm, unless they were accompanied by an adult.