RESIDENTS are to be asked for their experiences of crime and disorder in an effort to make Hartlepool a safer place.

Borough council chiefs want to talk to local people and have invited 40 resident and community associations to attend a meeting at the Historic Quay on March 14.

The event is part of an audit of crime and disorder that has to be carried out by the council, which is preparing a new Community Safety Strategy.

Alison Mawson, the council's community safety officer, said: "Not all crime and disorder is reported and we want to ensure that we get a full picture and not just one based on statistics.

"Such widespread consultation is not required by law, but is recognised as good practice."

The new strategy must be produced by April