A grant of �538,000 has been awarded and a team of people put together to reduce anti-social behaviour and tackle drugs misuse in Gateshead.

It comes after the Gateshead Community Safety Partnership (CSP) submitted its crime-fighting plans to the Government Office for the North East.

The initiative will include a programme to raise awareness of drugs issues.

'Listen to residents'

Gateshead CSP works in partnership with the council, police and probation services to organise crime prevention strategies and community safety programmes.

Among those working to achieve the targets is a Stimulant User development worker responsible for making services accessible to Gateshead's drugs users.

Members of the Drug and Alcohol team will promote a safer clubbing initiative working with pub and club owners, while a Prolific Offenders team will aim to reduce the re-offending rate through electronic monitoring, and surveillance.

Alan Brown, director of Crime Reduction for the North East which funds crime reduction activities, said: "The CSP's record in improving the life and security of Gateshead residents is impressive.

"But its plans for the coming year are proof that it continues to learn from experience, listen to residents, establish priorities and find solutions to the problems and issues that are of greatest concern in Gateshead."