THREE Rivers Housing Group is working with Durham Police and Sedgefield Borough Council (SBC) to reduce the number of house burglaries during the dark nights.

Vicky McCourt, the group's regeneration officer, said: "Three Rivers has a robust lettings policy, which is strengthened in areas like Dean Bank in Ferryhill, which suffer from high burglary rates, by asking for references from the police, as well as the usual reference checks with other local authorities and private landlords.

"These checks weed out the applicants who have caused problems elsewhere, and are likely to cause problems again."

She added: "Three Rivers don't want any of their tenants to be victims of burglary and have been working closely with other agencies like Disc to have dusk till dawn lights fitted in the hot spot streets of Dean Bank.

"Three Rivers support Durham Constabulary's Operation Lancelot and will continue to work closely with SBC and the police to ensure residents feel safe and secure in their homes."