SIX key areas of crime fighting have been highlighted in a new Community Safety Plan published by the Safer Stockton Partnership.

The plan will direct anti-crime strategy in the borough of Stockton until March 2005. It has been drawn up by the partnership, which is jointly led by the council and the police, based on more than 2,500 responses to a crime and disorder audit carried out last summer.

This identified six key objectives that residents felt were of the most concern, including drugs, violent crime, anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime.

Although these objectives will stay the same throughout the life of the plan, the partnership will also work on other community safety initiatives.

Councillor Steve Nelson, acting chairman of the partnership, said the partnership had strengthened in the past three years and had achieved most of its initial targets.

"However, crime and disorder continues to be at an unacceptable level and we recognise that we still have a great deal to do. Our new targets are realistic but challenging and, to achieve them, we will work closely with Stockton Renaissance and other local and regional organisations.

"Our overall aim has not changed - to make the borough of Stockton a safe place to live in, work in and visit."

Copies of the Safety Plan for 2002-05, in full or summary versions, are available by contacting (01642) 415342