CONCERNS have been raised about the possible misuse of new postboxes for people to report crime.

Under the pilot scheme, boxes have been placed in Consett, County Durham, for people to post anonymous messages with the details of criminals.

The scheme could be adopted nationally if successful.

But one local politician last night said he feared Orwellian repercussions.

Watts Stelling, the leader of the opposition independent group on Derwentside District Council, said: "My concern is that it could be misused by people wanting to snitch on their neighbours.

"If the boxes are not misused and help crack down on anti-social behaviour, then I would welcome them.

"It is a pilot scheme which I will watch with interest."

PC Jonathan Hamill, who was behind the idea, said: "We do not want people to spy on their neighbours.

"I suppose there is a potential for the boxes to be abused, but any form of communication is open to abuse.

"The boxes are about making us more accessible to residents and reassuring them we are keen to tackle local problems."

Each box bears the logo of the StreetSafe campaign, which is aimed at reducing crime and disorder.