POLICE want to introduce new measures to deal with begging and people sleeping in doorways in a bid to tackle rising levels of antisocial behaviour in Durham.

The issue of antisocial behaviour and violent crime in the city has been raised by residents and councillors following several serious assaults in the last month and fears that groups of people are causing trouble in North Road and Market Place.

A 12-week project involving police, Durham County Council, residents and businesses which have been affected by the behaviour is underway to come up with ways of solving the issue.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott has also written to chief constable Mike Barton about concerns raised by residents about a number of serious assaults in the city which have taken place over the last month.

An elderly man was assaulted while sitting in the Market Place two weeks ago, while muggings have also been reported in Claypath and near the train station this month. In September, an 81-year-old woman was assaulted in Nevilledale Terrace after getting off a bus.

Cllr Scott said: “I think people are thinking this is not the norm for Durham.

“I’ve lived in Durham all my life and I’ve never thought that I should be wary of being attacked in the day time. It’s never crossed my mind but these sorts of incidents raise that profile, which is not as it was.

“I don’t think anyone is living in terror but people are thinking more about their personal safety than they did in the past.”

Sergeant Kay Howarth said a small group of people were responsible for antisocial behaviour in the city, which centres around North Road.

She said: “Lots of different things are going on. For me, crime is low but antisocial behaviour is there and we’re aware of it. That fear of crime is what we’re trying to stifle.”

More patrols are taking place in the area while discussions are underway over the potential introduction of Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to try and reduce the problem by preventing things such as begging and sleeping or sitting in shop doorways.

Sgt Howarth said: “We’re pushing for it to happen. It can be controversial because it can look like we are targetting homeless people. It’s a difficult one.

“A lot of time and resources are going into North Road and people want to help. The businesses and the bus station want it to be a place where people feel safe.”

She added: “There aren’t any homeless people in Durham. People are choosing to sleep rough because they’re making money from begging.”

PSPOs, which are introduced by local authorities following public consultation, have already been introduced in other cities in the region, including Newcastle and Sunderland.

In Newcastle, the order, which prevents begging, charity collectors, known as “chuggers”, consuming alcohol and taking psychoactive substances, was met by protests before it was introduced earlier this year.