CRIME figures show police in a north Durham town have scored a resounding success in fighting crime over the past year.

Significantly year-on-year and overall the number of crimes recorded in Stanley this year has dropped by 16 per cent compared with the same period last year.

The data shows an 8.3 per cent drop in anti-social behaviour with 4,499 incidents compared with 4,906 in the year to March, 2009.

Inspector Amanda Cathrine said: "While the detection of crime falls mainly to the police, the responsibility for the reduction and prevention of crime and anti social behaviour rests not just the police, but with our partner organisations and agencies who all form part of the Safe Durham Partnership.

"The work of the Youth Engagement Service with first time offenders, Firewatch patrols by the fire service and the police, County Council anti social behaviour co-ordinators’ letters and visits to offenders, Derwentside Homes tenancy enforcement measures and crime prevention measures, to name but a few, have all played a part in this success."

Operation Natron in South Moor in the middle of 2009 was aimed at addressing rising crime and the fear of crime, following some high profile incidents there, had a great impact on crime figures and quality of life issues for residents.

Operation WAYS, We Asked You Said, in Annfield Plain addressed issues causing concern to residents, ranging from anti social behaviour to litter and dog nuisance.

Most recently Operation Nimrod, aimed at removing drug dealers from the streets of Stanley, was a huge success with a total of 13 persons arrested and charged with offences of supplying drugs.

The next PACT Meeting is on Monday May 17 at East Stanley Methodist Church Hall, Chester Road, Stanley, at 6.30pm.