IT'S the end of the road for a crime-fighting duo, but the work they started will be carried on by others.

Sue Willoughby and Jim Robertson have fitted burglar alarms, door entry systems and security lights to more than 1,000 homes and given safety advice to thousands of residents and students over six years of their Crime Reduction Project.

Jim retires at the end of this month, while Sue is going to work on a burglary-reduction project in Hartlepool.

On Wednesday, the pair handed over the keys to their van and tools to a new neighbourhood renewal fund called Independent Living for Older People.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, executive member for community safety and leisure, said: "Jim and Sue are dedicated and respected professionals in whom residents had complete trust. I am sure everyone wishes them well in the future.''

Heather Whyman, project manager for the Independent Living project, said: "We will continue to build upon the excellent work done by the crime reduction project to drive down the fear of crime amongst older residents.''