A TOP crime-fighting squad is aiming to further boost its success by going multi-lingual.

In a bid to reach the North-East's ethnic minority communities, Tyne Tees' Crimestoppers unit is providing a new daytime service staffed by foreign speakers.

The service allows a caller, a detective and a professional interpreter to conduct a three-way chat.

It caters largely for speakers of the 28 most common international languages, although there is a facility that covers more than 100 languages.

The initiative follows the Chester-le-Street-based unit's success in achieving one arrest for every eight calls, making it the best in Britain.

Acting Detective Sergeant Ken Parkin, who leads the unit, said: "There are people in ethnic communities who may be frightened for one reason or another to make direct contact with the police.

"For some, it could be quite simply that their English is limited and they fear they may not be understood.

"Our new service eliminates the problem by offering those who call in anonymously the help of an interpreter within just 90 seconds."

Acting Det Sgt Parkin said that while the unit has taken thousands of calls since its launch in 1988, resulting in more than 2,700 arrests, it aims, through the new service, to generate even more.

"We believe this is a major step forward in North-East crimefighting," he said.

"Barriers can literally by removed within seconds and those who might feel uncomfortable or frustrated about talking in English can have a fluent conversation in their language."

Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555111, and cash rewards of up to £500 are available for information.