AN MP was due to join police to patrol the streets of a once run-down area of a Teesside town last night to see for herself the value of community policing.

Dari Taylor, MP for Stockton South, planned to meet PCs Alan Fish and Les Gray on their Parkfield and Mill Lane beat in the town.

The community bobbies are well-known in the area and patrol the estates as part of the national Neighbourhood Management scheme to regenerate blighted communities.

The Parkfield and Mill House scheme has won a number of awards and has transformed the area, which once had derelict homes but now has a waiting list of people wishing to move in.

PC Fish and PC Gray, who carry mobile phones so they can be contacted directly by residents, have been nominated for awards.

Mrs Taylor, a graduate of the Parliamentary Police Scheme, was invited by PC Fish to spend three hours with them from 6pm last night.

The law enforcement team in Parkfield and Mill House also includes a community liaison officer and four community wardens.

There has been a reduction in crime with house burglaries down by 30 per cent.

Mrs Taylor said: "I constantly receive the request from constituents for a bobby that is known by all in the local community.

"I want to report back to the Minister just how successful the neighbourhood policing team has been in Parkfield and Mill Lane, having seen their work on the ground."