A CRIME-fighting charity yesterday appealed for help from the business community.

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

But its chief executive, Laz Szomoru, yesterday said he was becoming increasingly frustrated with the private sector, which seemed unwilling to help.

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

Mr Hedges told a special meeting of the police authority: "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."

When it was formed, the agency was considered ahead of its time. It brought together the police, councils and businesses into a common crime-fighting unit and has pioneered a number of successful schemes.

These included:

l The Square Mile project, sponsored by Northumbrian Water, where a total of 4,000 11 to 17-year-olds have worked to improve their communities over the years.

l Jet and Ben, the agency's community safety dogs, which have taken the "Say no to Strangers" message to 300,000 children.

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

l The drugs Insight programme, which teaches parents the rudiments of the drug culture, so they can tackle it.

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

Anyone wanting more details should contact 0191-388 8733.