AN authority which won acclaim for its efforts to reduce crime in rural areas is to share its expertise with others from across the country.

Hambleton District Council was awarded Beacon status by the Government earlier this year for its crime reduction efforts.

Now it is to hold an open day when representatives of councils and crime fighting groups from all over the country are expected to attend.

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon and the Government's crime reduction officer for the North, Greg Dyche, will be among those speaking.

Beacon status means the council's Community Safety Partnership is recognised as a centre of excellence in the area of crime reduction.

It will share its strategies and best practices with organisations attending Thursday's event at York's Pavilion Hotel.

Rural equality, mediation, neighbourhood renewal and partnership working will be addressed in a series of workshops throughout the day.

Partnership manager Chris Fields said yesterday: "Levels of crime have fallen in Hambleton and our work as a partnership has done a great deal to reduce the fear of crime.

"The partnership is proving an effective tool in this fall and this open day will help us share that success."