A GROUP yesterday outlined plans to cut crime and drug abuse over the next three years.

The Wear and Tees Community Safety Partnership is made up of police, community safety officers, local authorities, drug action officers and members of the Farmwatch scheme.

Yesterday, it launched a strategy designed to drive down car crime, violent crime, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, burglary, anti-social behaviour and theft.

Teesdale has one of the lowest crime rates in the country, but the proposals include further schemes aiming to eradicate offences.

Chief Superintendent Robin Trounson, who spoke at the launch at Bowes Museum, said: "Teesdale is statistically the safest place in England and Wales for crime.

"At the same time, we want to reduce the fear of crime even further over the next few years.

"We have a number of initiatives to protect people. We'll be working with reported victims, working with young people and working with possible re-offenders."

The strategy will be reviewed in 2008, and the partnership is hoping to build on encouraging figures in Wear Valley since the last blueprint was drawn up in 2002.

House burglary fell by 17.6 per cent, shoplifting fell by 26 per cent and theft has fallen by 11 per cent.

Violent crime fell by 29 per cent - despite a national increase of 36 per cent. Criminal damage has fallen by 3.5 per cent, the national average went up by 13 per cent.

But theft from motor vehicles in Wear Valley increased by 16.2 per cent and criminal damage to motor vehicles went up by 23.8.

Iain Phillips, chairman of the partnership, said: "I am delighted that overall, crime continues to fall. We are bucking the national trend and proud of it.

"But this is not a time to rest, we must continue to work hard and look for new and better ways of working if we want to reduce it further.

"All the partners are confident that the strategy will continue to reduce crime and the fear of crime in our community."