AN initiative to cut crime in Wear Valley is being launched this week.

The Wear and Tees Community Safety Partnership hopes to cut anti-social behaviour by ten per cent and house burglaries by 15 per cent through the joint strategy.

The plans will be revealed on Friday, at a conference attended by the commander of Wear and Tees police, Chief Superintendent Robin Trounson, Wear Valley District Council representatives and other agencies.

Between 1998 and last year, the safety partnership helped to reduce crime in Wear Valley by six per cent.

The new campaign will focus on reducing drug-related crime, substance misuse, car crime and violence.

The public is invited to attend the meeting, at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, at noon on Friday.