Balaclavas could be banned and seven County Durham towns slapped with anti-yob orders amid plans to crack down on anti-social behaviour.
Durham County Council's cabinet will discuss proposals for new public space protection orders (PSPOs) covering a number of town centres and transport hubs, giving the council and police more powers to deal with problem behaviour.
If approved at a meeting on Wednesday, October 14, the council will launch a six-week consultation on bringing the measures to Bishop Auckland, Chester-le-Street, Consett, Durham City, Peterlee, Seaham and Stanley.
Councillor Kyle Genner, the council's cabinet member for neighbourhoods, environment and police relations, said: "Anti-social behaviour and low-level crime affect us all, and people across our county rightly want the places they live and work to be clean, tidy and free from trouble.
"We agree with them wholeheartedly, and that's why we take tackling those concerns so seriously.
Cllr Kyle Genner. (Image: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL)
"PSPOs can be an effective way to deal with these issues, and we've worked closely with Durham Constabulary to identify where introducing a PSPO would be beneficial.
"The measures being proposed would give our officers and the police more powers to robustly deal with those doing wrong. It would mean stronger, more immediate enforcement action against those who are causing disruption within communities.
"We want the message to be clear that if you're causing trouble and doing damage to neighbourhoods in the county, the consequences will be hard."
Stanley. (Image: STUART BOULTON)
Under the plans, the PSPOs would target problems including loitering, littering, graffiti, foul or abusive language, intimidating behaviour, alcohol and substance misuse, public urination, and the nuisance use of electric bikes and scooters.
Cabinet papers also reveal a county-wide proposal aimed at preventing people from hiding their identities while engaging in anti-social behaviour.
If introduced, it would allow authorised officers to require people to remove face coverings, including balaclavas, when requested - the measure would not apply to coverings worn for religious, cultural or medical reasons.
Bishop Auckland town centre. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
The council says introducing the orders would allow more immediate enforcement action through fixed penalty notices and provide additional tools for officers and police to address behaviour that is having a negative impact on communities.
If cabinet approves the consultation, residents will be able to share their views on the proposals from the end of October.
It comes as residents in Consett say they fear the town's bus station has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.
On Tuesday (October 6), The Northern Echo reported that people living and working near the station described feeling "frightened" and said they had been forced to take detours to avoid groups gathering in the area.
Consett bus station. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
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Residents reported incidents including intimidation, vandalism and abusive behaviour, while concerns were also raised about young people gathering around the station and nearby streets.
The council said: "We would like to reassure residents and visitors to Consett that we are acting on the concerns raised."
Durham Police has previously increased patrols in response to concerns and said it was working alongside Durham County Council and other partners to address issues in the town centre.