A VILLAGE bobby has stepped up the campaign against vandalism and anti-social behaviour by installing police call boxes.

The black boxes bearing Durham Police Constabulary's Streetsafe logo have been installed in West Cornforth.

Designated beat officer for the village, PC Sue Howard, is hoping that the boxes, provided by West Cornforth Parish Council, will encourage residents to leave messages for her reporting non-urgent matters such as vandalism, grafitti or anti-social behaviour.

It will also offer villagers the opportunity to pass on information concerning those believed to be involved in drug dealing or criminal activity.

Reports can be made anonymously by those who may be afraid to give a formal statement. but those who leave contact details will be contacted as soon as possible by PC Howard, or one of her colleagues.

The project will run alongside a series of beat surgeries to be held by PC Howard, the first of which will start this week.

She said: "I am keen to see as many people as we can at the beat surgeries and, of course, people can reach me by phone through the section office.

"The boxes are just another way of helping people make contact and they can leave messages about anything relevant to the life of the community.

"They will be emptied on a regular basis and anyone who leaves contact details can be assured of updates to keep them informed.''

Beat surgeries will be held on the first Thursday and third Wednesday of each month at West Cornforth Primary School.

The Thursday sessions will be held from 2pm to 3pm and the Wednesday surgeries from 5pm to 6pm.