Police had to act just 20 times during the ban

Durham Police brought in the six-month curfew in a bid to rid Deneside in Seaham of gangs of rowdy youths.

Under the new powers, police were able to order homes youths found out on their own after 2100 BST.

But officers say they have got their message across without having to adopt a permanent ban.

Inspector Geoff Smith said officers only had to impose the curfew 20 times since its introduction in April.

He said: "We were really in unchartered territory with the new laws, but felt we needed to act after a spate of unruly behaviour.

"At the time, we had a lot of wheelie bins being set on fire in Deneside and one incident when a 79-year-old man had to watch helplessly while his garden hedges went up in flames.

'Common sense'

"We think we have got our message across without bringing in the curfew permanently, but the situation will be monitored and reviewed."

The new powers were introduced under the new Anti-Social Behaviour Act in 2003.

They meant no-one under 16 was allowed out after 9pm unaccompanied by an adult, and any youths caught misbehaving could be ordered home or ordered to leave the area at any time of the day.

Inspector Smith added: "It was never our intention to introduce a blanket ban and we applied common sense.

"As long as children could persuade us they were on their way to a social activity, such as Army cadets, we would take this into account.

"This was never about restricting their civil liberty."

The curfew is due to end in October, following the six-month exercise.