Rumour 'fuels rural crime fears'

Police are investigating whether rumour fuelled by gossip is leading to a fear of crime in villages across Teesdale.

Durham Police said although it is a safe place to live, with fewer than 36 crimes a month reported, people believe offending is worse than it actually is.

A group of specialists from a range of organisations have been brought in to discover why perceptions are so different to the reality.

Questionnaires will be sent to about 7,500 homes trawling for information.

The survey, administered by Durham Police, aims to establish a wider understanding of the concerns about crime and also seeks details on offending hot-spots.

'Historic troubles'

Ch Supt David Jones said that there were other areas in the county where there were higher offending levels, but where "local tolerance levels" seemed higher and the impact of disorder less dramatic.

"Whether the problems in the dales, or in any other village, is the result of historic troubles, under reporting, distorted gossip or the influence of newspaper reporting and what people see and hear on television and radio, is something we hope to identify."

He added that the findings would be used by local crime and disorder reduction partnerships to provide a base for public reassurance campaigns.

"If we can demonstrate we have cut the fear of crime and are working to build safer and stronger communities we could be in line for a windfall of £1.2m.

"That government money would allow us and our partner organisations to specifically target the problems of both perception and the reality."