A POLICE officer who works in crime prevention has been arrested over an alleged assault on his wife.

PC Andy Liptrot, 46, was questioned following an incident in which the woman suffered minor bruising.

The Accrington-based officer has been bailed pending further inquiries and has not been charged with any offence.

He has not been suspended but is off work following the incident on helath grounds.

A police spokesman said: "An allegation of assault has been made against a serving police officer within the Lancashire Constabulary.

"This matter is currently being investigated and a 46-year-old male officer has been arrested and is on police bail pending further inquiries."

Liptrot was arrested last week after a complaint was made to police following an incident in mid-March.

It is understood that the incident took place at the couple's home in Chorley.

Liptrot, a crime prevention officer based at Accrington police station, has worked for the force across East Lancashire.

In recent years he has spearheaded a number of initiatives in the Hyndburn area aimed at reducing crime, including placing mini-CCTV cameras in cars in a vandalism hotspot area.

He was also involved in arranging for free security equipment to be installed in properties in central Accrington last year and a crackdown on thieves targeting lorries at industrial parks in Altham.

He has also worked closely with the Hyndburn Community Safety Partnership in a series of crime prevention initiatives, including local Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

In November 2006 the Lancashire Telegraph reported that he raised cash for St Catherine's Hospice, Leyland, by completing a fire-walk.