SCHOOLS in County Durham are joining forces with police to add crimefighting lessons to the curriculum.

Subjects such as vandalism, drugs, car crime and offensive weapons will soon be on the timetable of every school in the county.

The initiative aims to develop positive relationships between police and young people and promote good citizenship.

Although officers already have close links with many schools, the initiative will give them greater access to pupils by putting them alongside teachers in the classroom. Schools will be able to adapt the programme to suit needs.

Pupils will be encouraged to respect the law, helped to understand the role of the police service, and given an insight into the consequences of crime for the offender, the victim and the community.

Durham's director of education, Keith Mitchell, will join Chief Constable George Hedges and Geoff Pennington, director of education for Darlington, at the launch at Hardwick Hall, near Sedgefield, today.

The programme for the launch includes workshops, exhibitions, and a performance by the Bishop Auckland Theatre Hooligans, a group of young people who use drama to tackle social issues.

Mr Hedges said: "We are not trying to tell youngsters what to do. We want to give them as much information as possible so they can make their own choices and decisions and, hopefully, become responsible citizens."