A PARTNERSHIP between housing officials, police and residents has seen a reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour.

Coast and Country Housing, Cleveland Police and people living in the Redcar and Cleveland area joined forces for the initiative.

Between April last year and April this year, house burglaries fell from 994 to 755, theft of items from motor vehicles decreased from 1,459 to 924 and the number of vehicles taken without the owner's consent fell from 973 to 681.

Cleveland Police Chief Constable Sean Price said: "These figures are encouraging and prove that partnership-working between residents, organisations and the police is the way forward.

"However, we are not complacent and we will strive to further reduce levels of all forms of crime over the next 12 months."

The Don't Walk By initiative was set up to encourage more people to report low-level crime to the police without fear of reprisals.

In addition, 21 police community support officers have been recruited to liaise with Tees Valley residents on a day-to-day basis about anti-social behaviour issues.