POLICE are asking the community to help them tackle problems of anti-social behaviour in a County Durham village.

West Cornforth has been identified as a crime and disorder hotspot by officers, who say they are determined to improve the quality of life for residents.

The crackdown is part of the county-wide StreetSafe initiative, which was launched last week by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Measures in West Cornforth could include entering into acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs) with people who continue to offend on a regular basis.

These are voluntary contracts drawn up with the police and other agencies, such as the borough council, which includes conditions of behaviour which are deemed unacceptable.

There will also be high profile patrols by beat teams, community support officers and borough wardens.

Inspector Steve Winship, the dedicated community inspector for the area, said officers would need the support of members of the public if they were to succeed.

He said: "We know who the individuals are a lot of the time, but we need more information and more community intelligence.

"If we are going to tackle this problem effectively in West Cornforth we need ordinary members of the public to come forward, perhaps in a confidential way, and report incidents of anti-social or criminal behaviour."

Insp Winship said the community beat teams were determined to tackle the problems head-on, not just in West Cornforth, but across Sedgefield borough.

He said: "People who do offend and cause major problems in the community can be assured they will be targeted by not just the police, but a number of different agencies.

"If necessary the full weight of the criminal law and any powers in relation to anti-social behaviour will always be considered and potentially used."

Insp Winship said he fully understood that the majority of young people were law abiding and caused no problems.

He said: "That's why it's vital that we work in partnership with other agencies and, through open and frank discussions with the young people themselves, try and make them aware of the problems and provide them with things to do."

Insp Winship said that although the team was currently targeting West Cornforth, other areas would follow if problems were uncovered by intelligence gathering from the public.

He said: "People in West Cornforth have become very disillusioned with the level of anti-social behaviour and disorder, and that is why we are starting to develop these initiatives. But that would never be done at the expense of other areas."

Anyone wanting to report anti-social behaviour in West Cornforth can contact Insp Winship or PC Paul Gallagher, the village beat officer, on (01325) 314401.