Thousands of families will this weekend be invited to take part in the biggest community safety survey ever carried out in County Durham and Darlington.

A total of 14,500 householders will be asked a series of detailed questions about anti- social behaviour and disorder issues affecting the everyday lives of neighbourhoods.

The questionnaires are being posted to homes chosen at random. Results will be analysed by marketing specialists and used to shape new crime and disorder strategies due to be introduced in spring.

Police said that although crime rates in Durham are falling, people still do not feel safe.

Chief Inspector Dave Cromarty, who leads a steering group overseeing the survey, said: "Fear of crime, if allowed to go unchecked, can be one of the most insidious and corrosive factors of modern neighbourhood life. Often it is the most vulnerable sections of our communities that are affected the most.

"The irony is the Durham Constabulary area is one of the safest places in the country to live and work. Crime is falling, our detection rates are among the best in the country and we have a record number of officers out on the beat.

"It's all about listening closely to what communities have to say and then, by working with all our partners, coming up with effective solutions to the problems that hit people's quality of life."

The survey is funded by the Home Office and supported by community safety partnerships made up of police and fire authorities, Durham County Council and district authorities and primary care trusts.

Alan Brown, the Home Office's regional crime reduction director, said: "The results will give us specific information, not only about anti-social behaviour and low-level crime, but also what makes people feel safe and secure in their immediate neighbourhood. That will enable us to identify measures that work and, perhaps, apply them elsewhere.

"In turn, that would not only reduce anti-social behaviour and crime but also reduce the fear of offending."

One of the survey's questions asks about Dur- ham's StreetSafe initiative, launched in the summer by Prime Minister Tony Blair, to tackle crime and nuisance problems.