POLICE from Peterlee have issued warnings to people breaching Covid lockdown restrictions including youths.

Officers also used a special tagging spray on a quad bike rider who was driving in an anti-social manner.

The town's Neighbourhood Policing Team carried out proactive patrols in the Wheatley Hill and Thornley areas at the weekend, having received a number of complaints from members of the community. 

A spokesperson said: "We have issued three Covid warning letters, issued a Community Protection Warning to a local youth, multiple youths were taken home and parents giving a warnings regarding Covid regulations."

The warnings come as regional and national leaders urged people to stick to the lockdown rules, by staying home and not mixing with people outside their household or bubble, as coronavirus cases and hospital admissions continue to rise.

Police also conducted curfew checks and released DNA Captor spray on a quad bike which was driving anti-socially.

The spray can be sprayed on offenders who refuse to stop for police, marking the bikes, clothing and skin of the riders with an invisible, uniquely-coded DNA solution that can provide forensic evidence to link them to a specific crime.

The spray shows up under special UV lights and stays in place for a number of weeks, even after washing.