POLICE are launching a crackdown on anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and low-level crime in a County Durham village next week.

A number of agencies have been brought together in a Streetsafe initiative in a bid to improve the quality of life for residents of Pelton, near Chester-le-Street.

The initiative, which follows a successful blitz of nearby Sacriston, will be unveiled at the Pelton Community Centre at 10am on Monday.

Police officers will be taking part in a number of operations, high-visibility patrols and crime prevention events.

The other agencies will be involved in a range of actions, including teaching about drugs awareness and anti-social behaviour, advice on security of premises, improvements to street lighting, truancy sweeps and advice on preventing fires in the home.

Chester-le-Street community Inspector Paul Anderson said: "Streetsafe was officially launched across the force in May of last year and, at the beginning of this year, we held meetings with the people of Pelton to identify problems they consider have a major impact upon their village.

"After consultation with other agencies about support they could give, we devised a plan of action which will be rolled out over the coming weeks."

Insp Anderson added: "We will be targeting anti-social behaviour, drug dealers, low-level crime, vandalism and other quality of life issues."

The fire and rescue service, Chester-le-Street District Council, Durham County Council, the DVLA, the youth engagement service and local schools will join in by implementing measures and organising community activities and events over the next three months.

Insp Anderson said: "We hope by working with residents they will feel safer and take greater responsibility for their community.

"The aim is to create a more secure environment for the people of Pelton, thereby making the village a better place to live and work"

"Measures will also be put in place to make it easier for members of the community to identify and gain access to those agencies and organisations they might need to contact once the initiative is complete."

Insp Anderson said a poll conducted in Sacriston following the Streetsafe initiative there had found it had been a resounding success.

He said 93 per cent of respondents said they had noticed fewer speeding problems, while 91 per cent said there had been an improvement in anti-social behaviour.

A further 84 per cent noticed an improvement in activities for young people in the village, while 83 per cent said they felt safer in the village