A NEW regional drugs team will be based in Durham.

The five-strong police team, which will be known as the Regional Drugs Intelligence Unit, will monitor street trends and gather intelligence on dealer networks across the North-East.

The unit, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, will be based in Durham and staffed by specialists from the Durham, Cleveland and Northumbria forces.

Superintendent Barry Peart, of Durham Constabulary, is responsible for the unit. He said: "The unit's main role will be to provide the widest possible up-to-date picture of drug taking and drug dealing networks across the region.

"An improved understanding will mean every organisation involved will be better able to do their job in tackling the huge problem facing us all."

The team will include a senior detective, three analysts and a researcher and is due to start work this autumn. Operating from offices in Durham Police Headquarters, it will gather information from police and organisations such as health and education bodies, local authorities, charities and drug action teams across the North-East.

"The unit will look at trends across the region and examine drug-related issues as they affect the police, health, education and other agencies involved in this work," said Supt Peart.

"If council refuse collectors are coming across needles and other paraphernalia, that is good intelligence about the activity of drug addicts and drug dealing in a particular area. Community workers dealing with drug issues on a daily basis may also be able to help to pinpoint trends and developments.

"Providing intelligence to assist in arresting and disrupting drug dealers will only be one aspect of the unit's work, however. Providing information that will enhance treatment, support and education will be equally important."

A Home Office grant of £400,000 will cover the cost of the unit for the next two years.

David Cliff, unit manager of the County Durham Drug Action Team, said: "We are well ahead of the game in terms of collecting this data and would have no difficulty making some of it available to this new unit.

"We are happy to share information with the police, so long as it does not identify individuals and specific locations, as this could undermine the public's confidence in our treatment services."