THE region's leading drug-busters are coming together in a scheme to bring more dealers to justice.

The hand-picked police team, called the Regional Drugs Intelligence Unit, will monitor street trends and gather intelligence on dealer networks across the North-East.

The five-strong unit, the first of its kind in the country, will be based in Durham and staffed by specialists from the Durham, Cleveland and Northumbria forces, supported by officials from the Government Office North East.

Superintendent Barry Peart, of Durham Constabulary, is assembling the team.

He said: "The unit's main role will be to provide the widest possible up-to-date picture of drug-taking and drug-dealing networks across the region.

"An improved understanding will mean every organisation involved will be better able to do their job in tackling the huge problem facing us all."

The team will include a senior detective, three analysts and a researcher, and is due to start work this autumn.

Operating from Durham Police Headquarters, it will gather information from police and organisations such as health and education bodies, local authorities, charities and drug action teams across the North-East.

Supt Peart said: "The unit will look at trends across the region and examine drug-related issues as they affect the police, health, education and other agencies involved in this work.

"The analysts will examine and collate information, while the researcher will try to thread together the different elements of that analysis."

The project has secured a Government grant of £400,000, guaranteeing its future for two years.