A CONFIDENTIAL hot-line has been set up for frightened victims of crime in an area of County Durham.

The District of Easington Council has opened the hot-line after picking up comments from residents in the area that they were too worried about reprisals to report anti-social behaviour to the authority.

Councillors asked for the line to be established after hearing the concerns of residents during one of their area forums with tax payers. Anyone who wishes to use the special service should contact the council's Customer Services Unit on 0191-527 0501