POLICE want to meet residents in Spennymoor to find out their views about police matters and offer crime prevention advice.

Beat officers stationed in the town will hold two afternoon surgeries this month at stores in the town centre.

The first surgery will be held at Asda supermarket, on Tuesday, November 16, followed by a session at the Co-op store on Wednesday, November 24. Both sessions take place from 2pm until 5pm.

The sessions will offer shoppers a chance to discuss any concerns they have with PCs Jamie Rielly, Dawn Southern and Gary Coulson.

Sgt Iain Rodgers, of the Spennymoor beat team, said the meetings followed two very successful surgeries held earlier this year at the same venues when more than 250 people spoke to officers during the two days.

As part of the force's Operation Darc, a seasonal offensive to combat burglaries as the nights get darker earlier during winter months, officers from the community safety department will also attend the surgeries.

The officers will be on hand to offer crime prevention advice and information about products that can make property more secure and help ensure the level of burglaries in and around the town remains low.