A CRIME-fighting charity yesterday appealed for help from the business community to continue the battle against criminals.

Durham Agency Against Crime has worked tirelessly for the past ten years, challenging criminals at the grassroots level.

But Chief Inspector Laz Szomoru, the agency's chief executive, yesterday revealed he was becoming increasingly frustrated with the private sector's apparent unwillingness to help.

County Durham's Chief Constable George Hedges said he had resorted to writing "begging letters" to businesses in a bid to secure the agency's £250 subscription fee.

He told a special meeting of the Police Authority, attended by members of the county's local authorities: "Laz is having to spend too much time chasing these £250s rather than getting on with the projects.

"Partnerships don't just happen, you have to have people who want to be there and can bring something to the table."

Chief Insp Szomoru said: "There is a lot of talk about hard-to-reach groups. Young people are a hard-to-reach group. But I also think that the business sector is a hard to reach group at the moment.

"If I can get the private sector on board I am going to be able to do more in the community."

The agency was formed ten years ago and was considered ahead of its time.

It brought together police, councils and private businesses in a crime-fighting unit. Since then it has pioneered a number of successful schemes.

One is The Square Mile project, sponsored by Northumbrian Water, in which 4,000 young people aged between 11 and 17 have worked to improve their communities.

Another is the agency's community safety dogs initiative. Dogs Jet and Ben have taken the 'Say No to Strangers' message to 300,000 children in schools across the county.

Get Hooked, a project to keep youngsters on the straight and narrow through fishing, will benefit at least 144 children this year.

Another scheme is the drugs Insight programme, which educates parents about drug culture so they can identify problems are address the issue in their homes.

But the agency needs £30,000 a year for running costs, plus funds for its various projects.

Anyone wanting more information about the agency can contact it on 0191-388 8733