A PARISH council has said the removal of its community police officer has led to a rise in crime.

Hurworth village beat officer PC Karl Lowe been seconded to help with police public order training.

At the last meeting of Hurworth Parish Council, PC Lowe reported that last month 16 crimes were committed.

Councillor Ian Black said he had tried to stop some vehicles being damaged by calling the police.

He said: "When I rang the police they said 'I'm sorry, but your beat officer is not back until June'.

"I wonder if the criminals have twigged that PC Lowe is away and they are going round the village?"

PC Lowe said another officer was trying to cover the village beat.

He said: "I do not like the situation myself, but my sergeant is keen for us to get out into the villages and a colleague is trying to cover my patch.

"Although we have been recruiting for the last ten years, when I go to headquarters they are drawing on the beat officers to cover shifts."

Coun Black said he had contacted Darlington police about the possibility of community wardens patrolling the village, but had been told crime figures did not warrant wardens' attention.

Vice-chairman Clive Bullock said: "Darlington is a small town but seems to get a lot of resources. It is congratulating itself on getting rid of crime, but we are now getting more crime in the villages."