A POLICEMAN has been appointed to patrol three villages in north-west Durham.
The remote communities of Burnhope, near Stanley, and Esh and Cornsay, near Durham, are to have a policeman.
Chief Inspector David Hogg, of Derwentside Police, has appointed PC Alan Patterson to the role of community beat officer. PC Patterson will transfer from nearby Lanchester.
PC Patterson said: "I have enjoyed my years in Lanchester and am sad to leave, but I am really looking forward to this new challenge.
"I am the residents' first point of contact with the police and I hope they will come forward with any problems they are having."
John Pickersgill, chairman of South Derwentside Rural Partnership, said: "PC Patterson's appointment will go a long way to alleviating the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour in the rural communities."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article