COMMUNITY policing in the outlying areas of a north Durham community has been given a boost with sponsorship from a North-East motor dealer.

A Citroen Picasso bought to transport police community support officers (PCSOs) and police officers to their rural beats around Chester-le-Street will be serviced and repaired by the Washington-based Springfield Motor Group.

Chester-le-Street Community Inspector Paul Anderson said the vehicle had been bought by the community safety partnership to help improve cover in outlying rural areas.

He said: "Transporting officers to their beats has always been difficult. We had to rely in the past on using existing vehicles, which could result in a wait sometimes.

"Sometimes officers would use public transport, and one PCSO had to walk to Great Lumley, which is about four to five miles away.

"Having this vehicle will give us a better visibility in the long term, because it will mean officers will be able to spend more time on their beats."

He added: "We are thankful to Springfield for helping us to significantly improve our ability to do our job."

The vehicle, which will not be used for emergency responses, will serve eight separate beats: Great Lumley, Sacriston, Grange Villa, Pelton Fell, Pelton, Burnmoor, Nettlesworth, Beamish and Perkinsville/Ouston.

Springfield group area sales manager Alan Robson said: "Our customer base is in the local community and we wanted to give something back.

"Springfield has offered to service and repair the vehicle."