A FORMER video store took on a new lease of life today with the launch of a new shop designed to make a city’s streets safer.

The building next to the bus station in North Road, Durham City, will be a base for beat officers patrolling the city centre as well as council officers and other agencies working to make Durham a safer place.

Durham Safe City Initiative, a partnership including Durham County Council and Durham Constabulary, has opened the shop as a convenient place to bring information direct to residents.

Following the success of a number of recent projects designed to improve safety in the city’s night-time economy, members of the partnership are now turning their attention to issues concerning city centre safety during the day, such as the recent re-launch of the Shopwatch scheme.

The Initiative has been working with retailers in the city to develop a number of projects which are expected to be announced in coming weeks.

Deputy Chief Constable Mike Barton said: "Crime and disorder in Durham City is well below the national average and this Initiative intends to build upon this achievement targeted towards the day time economy.

"The work of this strong Partnership builds upon the success we have already developed through our Nightsafe Initiative with the same officers involved in both schemes bridging the management of both sectors of our economy."