A PROGRAMME aimed at tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in Darlington has been such a success it will feature in a national conference.

Members of Darlington's Community Safety Partnership will address a national conference in Cardiff today.

The partnership was awarded Beacon Status, the highest Government accolade for a council service, and is deemed to be a centre of excellence responsible for sharing good practice with other councils.

Darlington's presentation at the conference will focus on partnerships that have been established between the council's uniformed warden service and the police, and the drug action team and Darlington Primary Care Trust.

Darlington was the first local authority in England to have uniformed wardens and police officers working from the same offices.

Patrols by uniformed wardens and police beat officers have been effective in combating crime and anti-social behaviour and improving the levels of public reassurance.

Alan Milburn, the MP for Darlington, said: "There is much that we have achieved here that will be of real value to other towns and cities across the country."

Councillor Bill Dixon, deputy leader of the council and non-executive director of the primary care trust, said: "All the partners involved in the Darlington Community Safety Partnership can be proud of their achievements. It really is a huge success story."