CRIMEFIGHTERS have stepped up the battle against yob culture in Durham and its surrounding villages.

Clare Peaden has been appointed anti-social behaviour officer for Durham, a post funded by the Home Office for two years.

She held a similar post at Stockton and will work with the community and the Chester-le-Street and Durham Community Safety Partnership, which is made up of the police, councils, fire brigade and other agencies. Chester-le-Street has its own officer.

Her role will be to help co-ordinate the fight against anti-social behaviour such as youths congregating in large groups, vandalism and graffiti - a police priority.

She will have a key role in preparing acceptable behaviour contracts for identified perpetrators and, in serious cases, anti-social behaviour orders, which can land people who break them behind bars.

"One of the main problems I see is youth disorder," Mrs Peaden said.

"Anything from noise and disturbance to anything anyone would perceive as anti-social behaviour.

"It could be large groups of youths gathering outside shops. It is the fear of crime.

"I'll be working very closely with the police and doing joint patrols with them and the community wardens to see what the problems are and to get to know the community.

"I have noticed in similar communities that there isn't a lot for youths to do.

"The question is how can we resolve this and give them things to do rather than have them out and about."

"From the statistics, crimes have gone down but the fear of crime has gone up."

Mrs Peaden said she would be attending residents meetings as well as meeting people with particular problems in an attempt to find a solution.

Mrs Peaden, who is being funded through the Home Office's Building Safer Communities scheme, will help with the preparation of the partnership's anti-social behaviour strategy. Inspector Dick Dodds, of Durham Police, said: "This appointment can only enhance the excellent partnership approach that already exists.

"All the Police Community Beat Team will be working closely with Clare to resolve issues with the community."

Anyone with an anti-social behaviour problem they want tackling can call Mrs Peaden on 0191-301 8449.