PEOPLE are being urged to join the fight against vandals as a scheme is launched to protect Shildon's Hackworth Park.

Shildon Community Safety Partnership, the town council and Neighbourhood Watch have joined forces to combat vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the park.

The three organisations have launched a Park Watch scheme, which aims to encourage residents to be more alert and help to look after the town's park.

Funding for the initiative has been provided by the Community Safety Partnership and Neighbourhood Watch.

Leaflets will be posted to every household over the next couple of weeks, in a bid to make people more aware of the scheme and what it is about.

It is also hoped that schools will become involved so that youngsters will be encouraged to look after their play areas.

The move comes after a spate of vandalism in Hackworth Park, where vandals have used cutters to sever the wires on a combat runway, set fires under equipment, bent the railings at the recently installed skate park, thrown paint over the ramps and tried to pull up the protective surface.

Tracey Bellas, deputy town clerk, said: "This is in effort to reduce the amount of anti-social behaviour and vandalism that is taking place in the Hackworth Park, particularly in the skate park area.

"We need the residents of Shildon to help us protect the park. It is an historical park and we need to show that we are doing something and are not just going to sit back and accept it."

Sarah Norman, Neighbourhood Watch liaison officer, said people were not reporting vandalism or other destructive behaviour because they do not know who to call.

She said: "We are targeting every home in Shildon, not just the people who overlook the park.

"We are appealing to people who walk their dogs in the park or jog through it, and would encourage them to report anything suspicious. Their calls will be treated in confidence."

Anyone wishing to report an incident can contact police on (01388) 603566, Neighbourhood Watch on (01325) 742755, Shildon Town Council on (01388) 772563, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.