COUNCILLORS have approved three schemes to try to tackle the fear of crime in Hartlepool.

The central neighbourhood forum of Hartlepool Borough Council has agreed to spend more than £4,400 from its minor works budget, in Staindrop Street, James Street and St Bees Walk.

It is intended to put metal railings on top of low walls to prevent youths sitting on, walking along or jumping over them.

It is also hoped that the railings will improve the local environment.

Councillor Stanley Fortune, chairman of the forum, said yesterday: "Residents in these areas are entitled to a bit of peace and quiet in their own homes and, hopefully, these measures will help tackle their problems."

The Staindrop Street scheme involves 20 bungalows in four blocks. At one end, the blocks join on to a school field and there have been problems with children who play there out of school hours entering the residents' properties. It is hoped that the new railings will prevent them gaining access.

In St Bees Walk, youths gather on walls at a shop, causing disturbance to eight neighbouring homes. The proposed railings are intended to prevent them sitting on the walls.

The fencing in St James Street, at its junction with Goodwin Walk, has the same aim, and reflects the area's history of problems with children gathering there