RESIDENTS in Highercroft and Longshaw in Blackburn could soon be able to get in touch with their local beat bobby at the touch of a button - via mobile phone.

Police are ready to introduce the idea of giving their beat bobbies mobile phones and passing the numbers to local residents so they can be reached easily.

Today residents welcomed the idea but said it would have to be carefully thought out.

Rita Adams, of Haslingden Road, said: "I think having a central number where we can get hold of all the community beat managers is a good idea. But a lot of details would have to be ironed out before mobile phones could be introduced.

"If they were dealing with an incident and their mobile rang would they stop what they were doing to answer it?

"We have a control centre on the 51212 number for more serious incidents so it would be good to have another number where to get hold of the officers direct for more minor incidents, such as vandalism and yobbish behaviour."

The idea was raised during a recent community meeting in Blackburn, when residents were asked by Chief Superintendent Dave Mallaby how successful they thought the area's community beat managers were in answering their concerns and dealing with their inquiries.

Around half of the people attending said they did see more police walking the streets now compared to around three or four years ago, but the rest said they would like it to be easier to get in touch with their local police officer.

One resident said that because the officers were generally out on the streets it made it difficult to contact them and often meant leaving a message on an answer machine, prompting the police idea for mobile phones.

Mr Mallaby said if residents felt it would be a good idea, he would look into securing funding to allow his community beat managers to have the phones.

He said: "I think it would be a good idea to add that personal touch so that you can get to know your community beat manager and tell them about any concerns you may have.

"They will still have time off and when they are not in work you will still get an answer phone but it would at least give you a direct line to them."