SUCCESS in the fight against crime depends on a partnership between the police and the public so it is vital that as many bridges as possible are built between communities and local forces.

Today’s paper highlights a cracking example of how Durham Police are winning over youngsters in the county.

Cash seized from major criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act has been used to buy 120 kits for a junior football club.

Shotton Colts, based in Shotton Colliery, will be wearing strips bearing the words “Operation Sledgehammer”

– the codename for the Durham Police initiative to tackle serious and organised crime. What a great idea.

We are great believers in the power of grass roots sport in terms of combating anti-social behaviour and improving public health so we wholeheartedly support Chief Constable Mike Barton’s initiative.

If police forces across the country are to get the public on their side – as they must – more needs to be done to show that criminals are being made to pay.

It’s not just about locking up crooks – it’s about grabbing back their ill-gotten gains and putting it to good community use.

The football strips initiative in County Durham is a definite winner and we hope to see more criminals having money snatched away from them so it can be pumped into grassroots sport.