A DEDICATED team is being created in Country Durham to help mentally ill offenders change their anti-social behaviour.

The aim of the multi-agency team will be to assist offenders with mental illnesses to get the help they need to stop them re-offending.

The team will also try to work with potential offenders and prevent people with mental health problems being stigmatised by the courts or the police. Mentally ill offenders are dealt with by people working specifically with mentally ill people, or with offenders, so their special needs are not met.

As part of the move, the County Durham health authority has provided funds for two criminal justice liaison community psychiatric nurses. They will work with people as soon as they are in a custody suite or magistrate's court, and will provide a dialogue between the various agencies working with an arrested person,

The aim is to ensure mentally ill people are treated correctly when they are arrested and their condition is taken into consideration throughout the legal process.

Colin Morris, director of social services at Darlington Borough Council, said: "The team objectives will be to reduce offending behaviour, relapse and re-admission, to enhance or maintain levels of social functioning, prevent inappropriate custody within the criminal justice system and ensure protection of the public."

The team will be made up of representatives from local authorities, health and social service teams throughout the area.