A curfew of 2100 BST was imposed on under-16s

The curfew was brought in earlier this year in a bid to rid Deneside in Seaham of gangs of rowdy youths.

Under its terms, police were able to disperse groups of youngsters, or order home any under-16s out alone at night.

Originally meant to run for six months, the curfew has been so successful police have revoked it two weeks early.

'Significant impact"

Durham Police report that on 21 occasions the new powers were used to disperse groups of two or more people.

And on 23 occasions, under-16s were escorted home after breaking the 9pm curfew.

Ch Insp Dave Hogg said: "We feel it has had a significant impact on certain categories of crime.

"We used to have a lot of graffiti and some incidents of arson.

"All of these have been reduced, but really it is the anti-social element that has been reduced across the board."