New East Lancashire MP Jonathan Hinder has won a promise from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner she will restore neighbourhood policing.

The former Metropolitan Police inspector raised the issue with her in House of Commons Question Time.

Pendle and Clitheroe Labour backbencher Mr Hinder asked Mrs Rayner: "I know better than most that, under the last Tory Government, neighbourhood policing was stripped away, leaving the police invisible in towns such as those I represent.

"As a former police inspector, I am delighted the new Labour Government have committed to rebuilding neighbourhood policing.

"Will you assure my constituents that Labour’s neighbourhood policing guarantee will soon ensure every town has a dedicated neighbourhood team?"

Mrs Rayner replied: "I thank you for your expertise and your work before you came to this place.

"Tory austerity has decimated neighbourhood policing.

"We will put thousands more neighbourhood police and police community support officers back on our streets, to ensure that every community has a named local officer.

"We will tackle illegal drugs, halve knife crime, crack down on anti-social behaviour and go after the gangs who lure young people into violence."

Mr Hinder said after the Westminster exchange: “Under the last Tory government, neighbourhood policing was stripped away, leaving officers invisible in towns like those I represent in Pendle and Clitheroe.

"It’s no wonder public confidence in policing has been eroded.

“I’m delighted this Labour government is reversing the damage by investing in neighbourhood policing.

"The Deputy Prime Minister’s reassurance that Labour’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will ensure every town has a dedicated team is a vital step forward.

“As a former officer, I know first-hand how vital it is to have visible, dedicated policing on our streets.

"These reforms are a game-changer for towns like ours.”