MEETINGS will be held across County Durham next week to give ethnic and other minority groups the chance to shape future policing.

The force announced last week that it had appointed consultants to find out how groups felt policing could be improved.

As well as the meetings, a postal survey, targeting members of more than 100 organisations, has started.

Researchers will also do street interviews in Chester-le-Street, Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Peterlee, Newton Aycliffe and Stanley.

The survey, Excellence Through Fairness, was partly inspired by the McPherson Report into the investigation of the murder of black Londoner Stephen Lawrence.

The first of the meetings will be next Tuesday, at Durham County Cricket Club, Riverside, Chester-le-Street, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

The following day, there will be meetings at Darlington Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, and at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Market Place, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

On the Thursday, there will be meetings at East Durham and Houghall Community College, Burnhope Way, Peterlee, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, and at Cobblers Hall, Newton Aycliffe, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

The last meeting, for Derwentside, will be at Stanley Civic Hall, Louisa Terrace, on the Friday, between 2.30pm and 4.30pm.