RURAL crime and policing is at the heart of a new campaign led by Ron Hogg, the police, crime and victims' commissioner for County Durham and Darlington.

Throughout September, Mr Hogg will gather public opinions of rural policing and raise awareness of preventing crime and anti-social behaviour.

Mr Hogg and his staff will talk to people at events like Stanhope Show today, a community day at the offices of UTASS (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services), Middleton-in-Teesdale, on Friday, and Hurworth Country Fair and Eggleston Show next Saturday.

He will also use social media to promote the importance of reporting crimes and how to avoid them occurring in the first place.

Mr Hogg said: "Earlier this year Chief Constable Mike Barton and I published our second rural policing statement. The statement sets out our commitment to rural communities, and what we are doing to ensure that policing in the rural parts of county Durham and Darlington is as effective as possible.

"I will be visiting the most rural parts of the area over the next few weeks to hear what people have to say. This will help me to know what local people think the priorities for policing should be."

The campaign will also highlight how Durham police and partner agencies do to enhance the safety of rural communities.