A COMMUNITY beat manager is moving to pastures new and fresh challenges.
PC Alan Kinghorn has been a familiar face in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, since October 2000, having been one of the first Community Beat Managers (CBMs) in the area.
He started the Birtley Partnership Group, bringing together local groups including schools, churches and youth groups.
The idea was so successful it has been adopted in other areas.
PC Kinghorn also set up the Birtley Pubwatch scheme in 2002. Now the officer, who joined Northumbria Police in 1979 and has been based at Gateshead for the past 14 years, has moved to the Public Protection Unit as a risk management officer dealing with people who have been released from prison.
He said: "I have enjoyed my time at Birtley and built up some good relationships with groups in the area, but I am now looking forward to taking up some new challenges."
He will be replaced by PC Andy McCarthy and another officer yet to be appointed.
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