A MOBILE unit fitted with crowd monitoring equipment is helping police tackle crime and disorder.
The £180,000 Wear Watch van has the most up to date security camera equipment available and will be used in crime hot-spots across Sunderland and Washington.
Northumbria Police Assistant Chief Constable, David Warcup, said: "This is an excellent tool to assist police in Wearside tackle crime and disorder.
"It is also a great example of partnerships working together to get to the root of crime.
"By joining forces with the council and other agencies we can target resources where they are most needed to ensure a much better quality of life for those who live, work and visit Wearside."
Cash for the van came from the Home Office's Crime Reduction Programme.
It will be available for police and partner agencies in Wearside and will also be used at large scale public events, including football matches and the Sunderland Air Show.
It houses a fully mobile security camera system and two portable systems, which can be detached and mounted anywhere in Wearside.
It will also be able to download footage from the North-East Air Support Unit's helicopter.
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