Darlington could be facing an explosion of anti-social behaviour.

New figures show the town is set to see a 98.6pc rise in the number of incidents in 2004-05.

Anti-social behaviour involving young people is also on course for a 116pc increase.

A strategy target aims to cut incidents by 10pc - from a 2003-04 baseline of 5,813 to 5,232 in 2004-05. But by September 30, 5,773 incidents had already been recorded and the projection for 2004-05 is 11,546.

However, crimes of household burglary, vehicle crime and robbery could be on a downward path.

The picture will be presented to members of the Darlington Partnership Board at a meeting in the new year.

The report by area commander Chief Supt Michael Banks will spell out that residents' main fears now focus on issues around young people.

He says crime issues do not feature highly apart from damage and vandalism.

Quality of life is what causes most concern, says the report, with anti-social behaviour concerns at the top of the list.

Chief Supt Banks will tell the board that the Government has set a crime reduction target of 15pc nationally by 2007-08.

For the North-East this will mean a drop of 18.1pc.

Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships will have to set targets as part of this process, using 2003-04 as the baseline.

In Darlington, projected decreases are: household burglary 35.2pc; vehicle crime 45.5pc; robbery 31pc.

But crimes seen as being on the way up are: anti-social behaviour 98.6pc; incidents involving young people 116pc; violence against the person 69.2pc.

The report projects an increase of 36pc in the reporting of domestic violence incidents.

"Anti-social behaviour is the issue causing most concern," says Chief Supt Banks. "This differs from 2001 when house burglary was the area of most concern.

"Environmental and quality of life issues such as litter, graffiti and nuisance have become more of a worry."

The meeting will also hear that a strategy for tackling crime, disorder and drug misuse is being drawn up for the period 2005-08.

And a ten-year plan aimed at boosting quality of life in Darlington will focus on priority groups such as young and old people and those living in deprived wards.

The board will be asked to approve the recommended priority areas for strategy development.