EVERYONE in South-West Durham will soon know their local police officer's name as part of a new neighbourhood initiative, according to Durham Police.

The force aims to bring their officers closer to residents and their problems.

A neighbourhood policing "pathfinder" project was trialled last year in Derwentside, Chester-le-Street, Durham and Easington. It is now being rolled out in 70 beat areas across Darlington, Sedgefield, Teesdale and the Wear Valley.

Assistant Chief Constable Michael Banks rejected claims the project is a gimmick and insisted residents will notice a real difference.

Bonds will be developed through community campaigns, meetings and a high-visibility presence.

"We are building on what we already have in terms of putting the community at the heart of policing," said Mr Banks. "The idea is communities will know who their officer is by name.

"We want to know what people's policing needs are, then do something about it, and then we can go back and tell people what we have done.

"This is a definite shift of emphasis."

Durham Police announced earlier this year it may have to cut up to 300 jobs to save money. But the cuts were avoided after the police part of council tax was increased by more than 34 per cent.

Mr Banks said nearly 70 per cent of the force's officers are on the beat, rather than behind desks.

He added the force's neighbourhood presence had been increasing in the form of police community support officers (PCSOs).

"In Darlington, for example, we have 24 beats covered by 20 PCs and 23 PCSOs.

"A few years ago there were only 12.

"About 49 per cent of our officers are in response roles, and on top of that we have 20 per cent in neighbourhood policing. Obviously, there are limited resources, but we want to make sure that we have as many as possible on the frontline."

The force hope to meet new community policing standards by April next year.

Inspector George Osborne, Durham Police's neighbourhood policing project manager, said: "Neighbourhood policing by locally-based officers is what people want and is what we intend to deliver."