They are to meet on Friday, and high on the agenda will be drug and alcohol misuse and clamping down on arson.

Among the guest speakers at the conference at Durham Cricket Club in Chester-le-Street, will be Government Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong.

The aim of the event is to also come up with a three-year plan to reduce the fear of crime throughout the county.

The problem of anti-social behaviour was highlighted last week when a local resident won a Home Office Bravery Award.

'Disorder and fear

Anne Blewitt, from Grange Villa, near Chester-le-Street, received the Taking a Stand award for helping to rid her village of a gang of drug dealers.

Richard Hughes, Durham County Council's community safety co-ordinator, said: "The main purpose of the day is to develop new community safety strategies that will shape how services tackle crime, disorder and fear of crime over the next three years.

"Key themes at the conference will include prolific offenders, hate crime, anti-social behaviour and arson reduction."

The all-day conference, co-ordinated by the council, will also bring together delegates from the police, health, fire and rescue services, as well as district councils.