WEST Auckland will be targeted by a multi-agency team as part of a week-long project to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

As part of a Government programme of support, the Home Office has recommended the use of weeks of action in areas experiencing an increase in crime.

West Auckland was highlighted because of a higher proportion of theft, burglary, anti-social behaviour and deliberate fires taking place over the past few months.

The action week, taking place from October 15, will involve walkabouts of the area, police patrols, removal of rubbish, Operation Hawkeye, which will identify cars vulnerable to theft, environmental clean-ups of graffiti and dog fouling, fire and crime safety checks and truancy sweeps.

A community services committee meeting was held last week to discuss the project.

It is hoped that, by bringing together the council and partners from the public and private sectors such as the police, parish councils and the fire service, that members of the community will be actively encouraged to help solve the problems which lead to crime and anti-social behaviour.

The area will be monitored for six weeks after the project and it is proposed that the scheme will take place in six months' time at neighbouring St Helen Auckland.

Elaine Baker, community safety manager at Wear Valley District Council, said: "We monitor crime and disorder patterns on a monthly basis.

"West Auckland is not a crime hotspot as such, but it has had increasing problems with anti-social behaviour, theft and deliberate secondary fires over the past couple of months and we need to get in there quick and turn this situation around."

Colin Mairs, ward councillor for West Auckland, said he believes the action week can only be good news for the area.

He said: "It is an excellent idea, and shows the people of West Auckland that we care.

"Hopefully it will be a great success and will improve the area and outline what can be done to make it a better place to live.

"The fact that it will be a multi-agency programme means no stone will be left unturned as all problems will be covered.