A MAJOR crackdown on criminal damage was launched by agencies in Hartlepool yesterday.

The multi-agency approach has been developed in a bid to tackle incidents of graffiti, damage to vehicles and property, fly-tipping and environmental damage.

The campaign will run under the banner It's Not Cool, It's Criminal, and aims to raise awareness of the consequences of criminal damage and highlight what people can do to help keep their area and property free from crime.

Members from Cleveland Police, Housing Hartlepool, the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, Hartlepool Borough Council, the Neighbourhood Policing Community Co-ordination Support Team and other voluntary and public sector agencies are involved in the clampdown.

Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond, who is also chairman of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, launched the campaign by using a high-powered jet cleaner to remove graffiti in the town's Owton Manor Lane.

Mr Drummond said: "Through partnership working, we aim to create an environment where criminal damage is recognised not only as a criminal offence, but also as socially unacceptable behaviour."

Chief Inspector Phil Veitch, of Hartlepool police, said: "We are turning the spotlight on criminal damage and telling people that it will not be tolerated.

"Vandalism is criminal damage, which is a crime that can cause large amounts of disruption and upset, not only to people's lives, but to Hartlepool as a town. We are determined to stamp it out."

The plan for tackling criminal damage will look at long-term problem-solving, identifying hot spot areas and educating people.

Statistics show that Hartlepool had 2,559 incidents of criminal damage in the year to April. It also been estimated by the British Crime Survey that the average cost to an individual who has been a victim of criminal damage is about £850, which includes the cost of the emotional impact of the crime.

Janis Ledger, neighbourhood manager for Housing Hartlepool, said: "We are giving this campaign our full backing, and are working with our partner agencies to ensure that enforcement action is taken, where possible, on anyone committing criminal damage to our properties."