A VILLAGE hit by crime since its community police officer was moved will not be getting a replacement beat bobby.

At their last meeting, members of Hurworth Parish Council said crime had risen since PC Karl Lowe was seconded to help with police public order training.

They suggested Hurworth was being ignored by the police and community wardens who they said concentrated their efforts in Darlington.

Vice-chairman Clive Bullock said: "Darlington is a small town but seems to get a lot of resources. It's congratulating itself on getting rid of crime but we are getting more crime in the villages."

The police and Darlington Borough Council, which runs the warden scheme, defended their work in the village.

Chief Inspector Barry Knevitt, of Darlington police, said: "Unfortunately, I have limited resources. I cannot provide cover for every officer who has to be away.

"PC Lowe is an experienced public order trainer and his input is invaluable. He will be returning to his beat in Hurworth when the training has been completed.

"The beat officer for Hurworth also covers Middleton St George and Neasham, and all of these places are crying out for a replacement, but sadly, I do not have the manpower to do it.

"I do not believe that a rise in crime can be proven to be directly related to a beat officer not being available in the village,"

He also said that officers still patrolled Hurworth and other villages by car and 999 incidents would always be prioritised and responded to.

A spokeswoman for the borough council said the level of crime in Hurworth was too low to justify a regular patrol by uniformed wardens, although they have visited the village.

She said: "The wardens are both proactive and reactive, but they have to prioritise and patrol where there are the highest levels of crime.

"Of course, if incidents are reported in the village they will attend, but there are areas that need more regular patrols. Hurworth's crime figures do not justify more coverage."