YOUTH disorder is being tackled with a new initiative set to reassure residents.

A new initiative aimed at tackling the behaviour of youngsters in North Tyneside has taken place.

The project follows a small number of incidents in the north west of the borough.

A group of young people took part in a special educational workshop to help them understand the impact this kind of behaviour can have on communities and their families.

The event held by North Tyneside Council and supported by Northumbria Police looked at secondary schools in the area.

The initiative included a visit from prison officers and an ex-offender as part of the Prison Me! No Way! project.

A mock prison cell was also brought along to give the youngsters an understanding of prison life and the former offender told them how hard it can be to find work after spending time in prison.

There were also workshops to highlight the sports and arts activities already available and the council’s youth offending team were on hand to give out advice.

Cllr Carole Burdis, cabinet member for community safety, said: “We know that the vast majority of young people in North Tyneside are very well behaved but when there is an issue it is important that we take steps to address it.

“The workshop was a real success and was a new, holistic, approach to fit alongside our brilliant partnership working to educate young people around crime prevention.

"This was an opportunity to educate our young people about what will happen if they go down the wrong path."