A ONE-man police station is hoping to cut anti-social behaviour in a former pit village.

The office, at Leadgate Community Centre, will be the base for beat bobby Kevin Kilkenny and was opened by Durham Deputy Chief Constable Jon Stoddart.

PC Kilkenny will be tackling anti-social behaviour, disorder and quality of life problems.

In November, the County Durham force revealed plans for a long-running campaign to deal with low-level offending and disorder.

PC Kilkenny said: "I believe the office will significantly raise my profile in the area and, at the same time, reassure local people we are tackling the issues which concern them.

"Committee members at the community centre and Derwentside District Council have been very supportive and I intend to use accommodation on most of the days when I am on duty.

"A number of projects involving local youngsters are already planned, which we believe will help reduce incidents of disorder within the area.''

Mr Stoddart said: "Durham is one of the country's safest places to live and yet it's sometimes the low-level crime and disorder that can have such a huge impact on blighting people's lives.

"Our reassurance campaign has been given top priority and the new office in Leadgate is yet another demonstration of our determination to tackle community problems head-on.''