A VILLAGE is suffering from an outbreak of crime and vandalism, after its beat bobby took sick leave and a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system was delayed.

Leadgate, near Stanley, has seen a sharp rise in crime recently, which community leaders said was a mixture of youth disorder, vandalism and theft.

Derwentside District Council was to install three security cameras in the village in April, but they have been delayed because of problems with the power supply. Its community beat officer, PC Kevin Kilkenny, has been off work with a shoulder injury for about eight weeks.

County and district councillor Watts Stelling said: "Our beat bobby is injured. While the police support team are trying their best, it is not the same as having somebody on the ground."

He said youths have been drinking in Front Street and had carried out a spate of attacks on Haven House, a residential home for elderly people.

"PC Kilkenny had built up a good rapport with the young people and it had made a difference," said Coun Stelling.

Thieves took a Vauxhall Astra car from Church Street in the village on Saturday. It was found burnt out in nearby woodland.

The night before, a Ford Fiesta car was stolen from Durham Road. It was later involved in a hit-and-run crash in the village and was found burnt out in Medomsley.

Other smaller crimes over the past week include tyre slashings, the theft of washing and mountain bikes, and paint stripper being poured over a VW Golf car in Tyne Avenue.

Thieves have also taken charity boxes from the Jolly Drovers pub.

Acting Chief Inspector Catherine Boyd of Durham Police said: "The beat officer for the area, PC Kilkenny, is unfortunately on sick leave.

"However, residents should be assured that does not mean any reduction of our commitment to Leadgate."

Mike Clark, district council executive director, said the CCTV system in Leadgate, along with cameras in Blackhill, Consett and the Havannah ward of Stanley, had suffered because of problems procuring a permanent electricity supply.

He said the issue had been resolved and the cameras would be working within a matter of weeks.