A POLICE authority chairman is backing key objectives set out by Home Secretary David Blunkett in his National Policing Plan.
The priorities are anti-social behaviour, street crime, drug-related crime, burglary and car crime.
Councillor Ken Walker, chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, said: "The absolute priority - which affects our ability to tackle all kinds of crime - is dealing with the drugs trade and its consequences.
"The fact is that, whether it is street crime, anti-social behaviour, burglary or car crime, the driving force behind so much of that criminal activity is the need for individuals to feed their drug habits. It is not possible to tackle these kinds of crime in isolation from the battle against drugs - and I am sure that fact is recognised by the Home Secretary."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article