MORE than 80 per cent of people in part of the region feel safe in their communities, according to a police survey.

Durham Police randomly sel-ected more than 1,600 families throughout the county to take part in the biggest postal survey undertaken by the force, with the help of an independent company.

The study gave people the chance to comment on aspects such as anti-social behaviour, disorder and minor crime and say what they think of the service provided by front-line police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs).

Assistant Chief Constable Michael Banks said the survey, the second of its kind undertaken within a year, was "reassuring", as 84 per cent of respondents indicated that they felt safe - eight per cent more than in the previous study.

Mr Banks said: "We have carefully analysed what the public had to tell us and will use the results, alongside other research we are undertaking, to plan action to tackle identified problems.

"By no stretch of the imagination are we complacent. We still have much work to do.''

Although the force has 350 more officers than it had a decade ago, the people who responded to the poll said they wanted to see more uniformed officers on the streets.

Mr Banks said: "Surprisingly, there was something of a neutral response to personal safety questions around litter, graffiti, criminal damage, drug-taking and drinking in public.

"But those who did respond made it abundantly clear large numbers of youths gathering in the street caused very real disquiet.''

Total recorded crime in the force area was 53,829 offences in the year to last April, an increase of more than 700 offences on the previous 12 months. But just over a decade ago the total number of reported crimes was 62,389.