A trench has been dug at the entrance to a field near Parkside Academy in Willington in an effort to prevent vehicles from being driven onto the grass and subsequently burnt, police have said.
Durham Police and Durham County Council (DCC) neighbourhood wardens have received reports of vehicles being driven dangerously and abandoned in fields near the academy. The entrance to the field is owned by DCC, which decided to dig the trench and mark it with protective red and white tape to "try and discourage access."
Ian Hoult, the authority's neighbourhood protection manager, stated that there is no public right of way in the area. He added that wardens will continue to monitor the situation. A spokesperson for Durham Police confirmed the force supports the effort to "implement the trench" to limit access to the land, with officers also continuing to monitor the area.