ROAD policing officers are to team up with beat bobbies to spearhead a campaign aimed at cutting crime in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

Officers from Pennine Division's road policing unit are to join geographic patrol teams in the three areas to lend their specialist skills in tackling local crime.

Five road policing officers will join each of the geographic areas, boosting numbers and aiding local patrols by helping to target criminals on the road, and vehicles being used unlawfully.

A core of officers will remain in the road policing unit, who will investigate serious and fatal road traffic collisions and carry out targeted education and enforcement campaigns.

Regular speed checks, seat-belt campaigns and drink drive campaigns will still continue.

Police said rotation between local duties and core duties will take place to ensure road policing officers don't lose their highly specialist skills.