A SCHEME has been launched to reduce residents' fear of crime.

Durham County Council and Durham Police Authority have announced they will work together to tackle the problem.

The move, which will involve meetings to consult the public and an internet survey, follows the findings of the recent British Crime Survey.

The report showed that, despite record numbers of police on duty in the county and lower than average levels of reported incidents, there was still a great fear of crime among the public.

Councillor Jim Cordon, chairman of the county council's overview and scrutiny working group, said: "We hope that it will give us a greater insight into the nature of the fear-of-crime problem and enable us to devise effective solutions to tackle it.

"The fear of crime in County Durham is disproportionate, given the low levels of crime being committed, and we want to find out the reasons for this apparent anomaly.

"The problem is not confined to highly populated, deprived urban parts of the county. We are getting the same message from rural areas."

Durham Police Authority has launched an online survey, which can be found on their website at www.durham-pa.gov.uk

Police Authority chairwoman Councillor Anne Wright said: "The online survey and local meetings provide alternative methods for members of the public to submit their views about the factors which influence the fear of crime, and help to shape future policing and community safety strategies."