A new three-year strategy to tackle the biggest crime problems in Wrexham is being spearheaded by Home Office Minister John Denham.

Crimes relating to drugs, alcohol, youths, anti-social behaviour will be the focus of the campaign.

John Denham will unveil the strategy

Mr Denham said the police cannot be solely responsible for maintaining law and order.

"It can't all be left to the police - the police and local authority need to work together," he said.

"Part of the problem is dealing with crime through police in the usual way and dealing with youths and making sure there is enough for them to do.

"Local people have said that youth nuisance and alcohol crime are their priority which is why it has come out in this local strategy."

Crime strategy aims

Tackle youth offending Anti-social behaviour Drugs and alcohol misuse Domestic abuse Town centre crime Volume crime

The report also revealed that 86% of crime was committed by people who lived in the area and over half of all detected crimes were carried out by the under 25s.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, said she blamed youngsters for the rise in crime.

"There's not much for the youth to do really.

"On the whole I think things need to improved for local youths to give them something to do," she added.

North Wales Police, Wrexham council, the local health authority and probation services will work together to implement the scheme.

This is the second crime strategy plan unveiled in Wrexham.

Despite an increase in the number of offences reported officers claim the first scheme, in January 1999, proved successful and led to a number of crime cutting initiatives.

Through the project, the county was the first in Wales to implement an anti-social behaviour order on a teenage boy.

In July 2000 the then 13-year-old was banned from places where he had previously caused a nuisance.