A POLICE scheme that helps people put a familiar face to their local beat PC has been hailed a success.

Bishop Auckland Police hope future crimes will be averted through information gathered at regular police surgeries.

People are using the sessions to get crime-prevention advice, put queries to police, or give crime-related information.

Sergeant Andrea Clayton said: "There has been a steady increase in the number of people attending the surgeries.

"There has been some major crime information and other information, such as contravention of traffic signs in the market place, something we have been looking at anyway.

"There have also been queries about Neighbourhood Watch schemes, people handing in found property, or asking about lost property.

"Any information given in confidence is treated as such, and perhaps we can build a bigger picture by getting information.

"It's a two-way thing, because the public get to meet their local officers."

The police surgeries are held at Bishop Auckland Town Hall every Thursday, between 11am and 1pm