In the last three years crime in the Derwentside district has fallen by more than 13%.

The Derwentside Community Safety Partnership now aims to cut that by another 15% and was unveiling its plans at a conference on Friday.

The partnership is made up of organisations including councils, health trusts and emergency services.

Partnership 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 was being launched in the Civic Hall, Consett.

Other aims are to increase public reassurance and tackle anti-social behaviour, tackle drugs and alcohol misuse and increase community involvement.