A NEW beat police officer has gone on patrol in Tow Law and Thornley.

PC Karl Hopps will operate from a temporary office in Tow Law community centre.

Tow Law Community Partnership and the town council had been pressing for a beat officer for four-years, and after juggling their finances, Crook police managed to fund the post.

PC Hopps said: "Tow Law is out on a limb and it was difficult to police. For a small town it has the usual problems with disorderly behaviour. But things have quietened in the last two to three months because there has been a lot of high profile surrounding this post. Crime figures have dropped. It is just a case of maintaining the status quo."

Wear Valley District Council member Councillor Ron Grogan said: "Inspector Graham Hall deserves full praise for getting another police officer on his budget and locating one to Tow Law. We're very pleased. Rural areas need these policemen.