A VICTIM of crime has joined forces with police to set up the first Neighbourhood Watch scheme on a troubled section of a Darlington estate.

Michael Nicholson, chairman of Skerne Park Residents' Association, has been assaulted, burgled and robbed while living in the area in the past few years.

The 42-year-old, who has worked for Victim Support in Darlington for a decade, has been appointed the Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for Poet's Corner, on Skerne Park, which incorporates Shakespeare Road, Tennyson Gardens and Wordsworth Road.

The area has a higher crime rate than the rest of Skerne Park put together and it will now have a designated Neighbourhood Watch scheme for the first time in the estate's history.

Mr Nicholson hopes that residents, police and outside agencies will work together to turn the crime figures around and combat anti-social behaviour and violence on the estate.

He said: "In Poet's Corner there has been criminal damage, assaults, burglaries and thefts.

"It is not just about residents getting involved, we need to have a good support network to back it up.

"I have been dealing with victims for many years through Victim Support and have been a victim myself."

On one occasion the father-of-three was threatened by a man carrying a knife who entered his house, in Coleridge Gardens.

There have also been several other violent assaults on the estate, including an attack on a man 18 months ago by three residents which was broken up by neighbours.

The victim was left with serious head injuries and, if it had not been for the intervention of residents, Mr Nicholson believes the attack could have had fatal consequences.

" We all live in the community. I would say that it is all for our own benefit to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour," he said.

About 15 residents have already signed up to help with the Poet's Corner initiative and the police and council have pledged their support.

Due to a review of Neighbourhood Watch schemes throughout Darlington, estates have been divided into more manageable areas.

Tracey Gregory, who has worked tirelessly in her role as Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for Skerne Park, will continue in the post but will no longer cover areas such as Parkside and Lakeside.