A STRATEGY to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and drug abuse is being launched today.

The three-year scheme aims to encourage the reporting of hate crimes and domestic abuse and cut the number of people killed and seriously hurt on Hambleton's roads.

Hambleton Community Safety Partnership has drawn up the strategy after carrying out extensive public consultation as part of its crime audit.

The results showed that, while crime rates are low, people's fear and perception of crime is still high.

The crime rate in Hambleton is one of the lowest in the country, with the district being ranked 30 out of 376 local authorities.

But the partnership still wants to see crime cut overall by another 15 per cent.

Partnership chairman, Rosemary Taylor said: "Despite being near the top in the crime league, we want to see our rates drop still further.

"We have identified our top priorities - anti-social behaviour, alcohol, drugs, road safety, burglary and vehicle crime --and have set tough targets to crack them.

"Hambleton is one of the safest places to work, live and socialise and we want to make sure it stays that way."

She said that over the three years, the partnership wants to see anti-social behaviour reduced by 23 per cent, criminal damage by 18 per cent, violent crime connected to licensed premises by 50 per cent, domestic burglary by 18 per cent and vehicle theft by 20 per cent.

Among the other targets are an increase in the reporting of hate crime, by 100 per cent, and domestic abuse, by 20 per cent, and a reduction in drug use, supply and dealing and binge drinking.

The new strategy will be launched in front of parish, district and county councillors, Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators and partnership members at a conference in the Golden Lion, in Northallerton, today.

The Community Safety Partnership was formed in 1998 and brings together Hambleton District Council, North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, North Yorkshire County Council and the Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust.