A CRIME-FIGHTING squad led by detectives from three North-East forces has the best arrest rate in Britain.

The Tyne Tees Crimestoppers unit, based at Chester-le-Street police station, is staffed by plain clothes officers from the Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland forces.

Statistics for the 12 months to the end of August confirm that one in nine anonymous calls made by the public to the unit leads to an arrest - the most successful apprehension rate in the country.

Since its formation in 1988, the North-East unit has received massive support from the public, which has helped 6,500 crimes to be solved.

Nearly £4m worth of property has been recovered and 2,632 people have been arrested.

During the past year, about 2,500 anonymous calls were received by the team, offering information about murders, rapes, robberies, burglaries, thefts and traffic offences.

About a third of all calls were concerned with drug-related crime.

Durham Chief Constable George Hedges said the quality of the calls being made to Crime-stoppers and the fact only a fraction of people claimed the cash rewards on offer demonstrated the public's willingness to help police tackle crime.

"People are sickened by crime and the misery it leaves in its wake. But on occasion, there are those with information who are too afraid to get involved," he said.

"They realise ringing Crimestoppers anonymously is an effective way of doing something positive and worthwhile."

Northumbria Chief Constable Crispian Strachan said: "The whole region is constantly driving crime down because the public recognises that it affects them directly. The way to clear crime from our streets and homes is to enlist the help of the police, and Crimestoppers is an excellent way for any member of the public to do so."

This week is National Crimestoppers Week. A number of events are being held around the country to promote the service.

l Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555111