RESIDENTS are to be asked to help choose a town's crime-fighting priorities.

A partnership group, made up of the emergency services and Middlesbrough Council, is to invite local people to suggest how crime, anti-social behaviour and drug misuse is tackled in Middlesbrough over three years.

A series of four public meetings is to be held across Middlesbrough, by the Safer Middlesbrough Partnership, this month.

Residents will be invited to vote on what they see as their priorities at the meetings.

They will be asked to suggest to the police, fire service and council where spending should be targeted.

Audiences will be able to question members of the emergency services and council, about action being taken to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

A spokeswoman for the partnership said people's views could make a difference and would be taken on board by the partners when deciding how to tackle crime and drug misuse.

Rachel Beard, communities co-ordinator with the partnership, said: "We really want residents to attend these sessions and let us know the types of problems they are experiencing in their area.

"We are putting together long- term plans and want to make sure that residents are involved in deciding priorities and also in helping us with the solutions."

The partnership came into being two years ago when the Middlesbrough Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership merged with the Middlesbrough Drug Action Team to form a problem-solving umbrella group.

Meetings start in the Europa Building, at the University of Teesside, tomorrow, for people living in the Ayresome, Gresham, Middlehaven and University wards.

Middlesbrough Teaching and Learning Centre, in Tranmere Avenue, will be the venue for the next session, on Monday.

Residents of Thorntree, North Ormesby and Brambles Farm, Pallister Park and Park End wards are invited

There will be a meeting the following day, at Beechwood Youth and Community Centre, for Acklam, Beechwood, Brookfield, Clairville, Kader, Ladgate, Linthorpe and Park residents.

The last meeting is at Viewley Hill Primary School, Hemlington, on October 15, for the residents of Hemlington, Coulby Newham, Marton, Marton West, Stainton, Thornton and Nunthorpe wards.