A SYSTEM of having only one police officer for all the villages surrounding Darlington is not working, residents and councillors claim.

The villages in Darlington borough used to have two beat officers between them. But since last month, there has been only one.

This week, PC Julian Brown, admitted there were problems with the new system.

More than 12,000 people live in Darlington's rural areas. In contrast, the urban area has a population of 85,470, and is served by 20 beat officers - one per 4,273 people.

A meeting of Hurworth Parish Council heard how the village had suffered from an increase in anti-social behaviour, including seven windows being smashed at the Grange on Saturday night.

On that occasion, police did not arrive until Monday morning.

PC Brown said: "Unfortunately, in the rural areas sometimes they (the control room) do not get officers there as quickly as they should.

"There are issues, and I have asked why an officer didn't come out on that night."

Councillor Peter Foster said Darlington's rural area was too large to be covered by one officer.

He said: "The officers themselves do a good job, but they need more help. It's not working.

"Rural areas pay more taxes, but they are not getting the service. We pay more and get less."

Councillor Doris Jones, who represents Middleton St George, said police had not attended recent incidents at the water park.

She said: "Only the police have powers of arrest, and the kids know that.

"When wardens were brought in, we asked if it was policing on the cheap. They said no, but that is what it has turned into.

"When I moved into this village there was a little police office manned 24 hours. Now we have to share one officer with the whole rural area."

Inspector Brian Maudling, of Darlington police, defended the cuts, but said they would be reviewed.

"It is not just about PCs, villages have their own dedicated PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers)," he said.

"What people need to understand is they still have a 24-hour response. If there is an emergency in Middleton St George, for example, someone will come, even if it is not PC Brown.

"People are being premature in saying it is not working, but I'm still happy to review it after three, four, five months.

"If PC Brown comes to me and says he is struggling, and needs some help, I am quite happy to give him that."