THE North-East's crime tsar secured £10m for the fight against criminals in his first year in the job.
Alan Brown, former deputy chief constable with Northumbria Police, was appointed regional crime director by the Home Office in July last year.
His job is to ensure that local crime and disorder reduction partnerships get support, guidance and training, and to provide a link between the region and the Home Office.
The money has gone towards 160 projects tackling issues such as burglary and domestic violence.
Last week, the region was awarded £3.5m for more closed-circuit TV cameras, and a further £6m could be provided to put cameras on every Tyne and Wear Metro station.
In his second year, Mr Brown hopes to establish a geographical information sharing system that will allow councils, probation services and the police to look at the social and criminal make-up of an area and enable them to plan better.
He said: "There are no quick wins on crime - it is a long-term investment.
"The key to achieving safer communities is to build stronger communities.
"We will do everything we can to continue to mobilise our communities in the fight to tackle crime to make our neighbourhoods safer and reclaim our streets."
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