Levels of youth disorder dropped by 82 per cent in the Grindon area of Sunderland after a tough approach was adopted by a partnership of police, Sunderland City Council, and a school.
Meanwhile a project in South Tyneside that focuses on getting young people involved in positive activities has resulted in 60 per cent fewer reports of youth disorder.
The project in Sunderland, called Operation Cathode, focuses primarily on identifying young people involved in antisocial behaviour through information sharing between police, the council and schools.
Following concerns raised by local residents about young people drinking and related disorder, 20 young people were identified as causing problems.
Twelve of them were asked to sign antisocial behaviour agreements (ABAs), and the parents of three offenders have received notices seeking possession of their properties due to their children's behaviour.
Police patrols seized alcohol from young people drinking on the streets, while youth schemes and activities are being offered in the area to keep young people “occupied and off the streets”.
Neighbourhood inspector Dave Pickett said the reduction in complaints about antisocial behaviour from 58 in the three months between April and June, to just ten in September and October, proves that partnership working has paid off.
“We're making sure that all young people who come into contact with police are aware of how their behaviour may be perceived by others,” he said.
“Through the schools we have sent messages to parents asking them to be mindful of where their children are on a night and to take measures to ensure they aren't out on the streets drinking.”
The South Tyneside project, called Bored in Bolden, has led to a 60 per cent drop in antisocial behaviour since being launched in January.
Run by South Tyneside Positive Activities and Targeted Youth Support Group, more than 150 young people aged between eight and 25 take part in activities including swimming, football, litter-picking and climbing, on Wednesday evenings.
Since the project began, eight of the young people have been trained so they can volunteer at the weekly sessions.
