A CAMPAIGN has been launched to encourage people to report crime in their area by ringing 999.

Caroline Houghey, who lives in Cockerton, in Darlington, wants to reduce crime in the area by getting people to use the emergency number when they see a crime being committed.

As a member of the Cockerton Area Action Group, Mrs Houghey has been gathering information through a crime survey of residents.

After discussing the findings with Inspector Dave Orford, she discovered that no matter what the crime, if it is happening there and then people should phone 999 to get the fastest response.

"I always thought the 999 emergency number was for emergencies and not other incidents like vandalism, which unfortunately in Cockerton we may have become all too used to.

"But basically if it is a crime in progress you should ring 999. We want people to report incidents of crime that are actually happening by ringing 999, and not for them to think they aren't important enough."

A police spokesman explained that dialling 999 is the quickest way to get a response, because the call will be answered within ten seconds and officers will be on the scene within ten minutes.

To get this message across Mrs Houghey has organised a poster competition for pupils at Alderman Leach, Holy Family and Cockerton CE Primary schools.

They have been invited to come up with a poster during their Easter holidays to promote the use of the 999 emergency number and will be displayed across the area.

Entries must be handed in at the schools on Friday, April 12.

The schools will then select their best ten posters to be judged in the final by Inspector Orford.

Youngsters who live in Cockerton, but attend other schools, can also enter.

They must be aged 11 or under and send their posters to Caroline Houghey, 74 Minors Crescent, Darlington, DL3 ODP by Friday April 12 and include their name, age and address