A PLAN to cut crime in north Durham by 15 per cent is to be unveiled on Friday.

The Derwentside Community Safety Partnership (CSP) aims to hit its target over the next three years.

An event has been organised to tell people how it intends to reduce anti-social behaviour and reassure the public.

There will be a series of short presentations from partnership-funded projects, the Community Safety Forum, County Durham Drug and Alcohol Action Team as well as from representatives of the police and fire brigade.

CSP chairman Andrew North said: "Derwentside is already a safe place to live, work and visit, but although crime levels have fallen, we are not complacent.

"The targets we have set in this strategy are challenging and will not be easy to achieve.

"We are confident however, that by working in partnership we will be able to reduce crime, disorder and substance misuse to improve the quality of life of the people of Derwentside."

The partnership's three-year crime, disorder and substance misuse reduction strategy will be launched at the Civic Hall, Medomsley Road, Consett, from 10am to noon.

Refreshments will be available and the public will have the opportunity to make suggestions and comments about how the partnership can reduce crime and make them feel safer where they live.

For more information about the event, contact 0191-374 0502.