POLICE in Burnley are to hold a conference aimed at encouraging residents to work with local officers to help reduce crime and disorder.

The Building Safer Communities Conference funded by Government Office North West, will take place at the Oaks Hotel, Reedley, on Tuesday, May 12.

During the conference, an invited audience, including members from both new and established local community action groups, will hear from a number of speakers, including representatives from the police, Government Office North West, Business in the Community, the Rank Foundation Charitable Trust and the Community Alliance.

Topics covered during evening will include:

How to set up a successful community action group;

What can be achieved by working in partnership with the police and other agencies;

How to secure funding for crime and disorder projects in local communities and sources of funding;

Sponsorship for community projects;

The benefits of obtaining charity status.

Superintendent Steve Hartley, operations manager at Pennine Police, said: "The police are obviously one of the lead agencies when it comes to crime and disorder, but there are a whole host of ways in which our local communities can assist us.

"The aim of this conference is to show people the huge difference that their contribution can make and to give them access to the type of people and information that can help them make a real difference to their local community."

Many groups and individuals should already have received invitations to the event, but there are still a few spaces left.

Anyone who is a member of an existing community or action group, or who is interested in setting one up, should contact Barry Robinson at Pennine Police on 07958 398 712.