ONE of Burnley's new Police Community Support Officers is to go "on the buses" in a bid to fight crime and anti-social behaviour.

Gannow's Kevin Hall is hoping to provide a reassuring presence to bus users and at the same time deter juvenile nuisance by hopping on and off public transport as part of his patrols.

In a scheme introduced earlier this year, Burnley and Pendle Transport already offers free travel to local police plain-clothed officers, special constables and traffic wardens and now PCSOs are joining the scheme.

Inspector Dave Shepherd from Pennine Division's Road Policing Unit set up the scheme.

Kevin said: "The initiative seems to work quite well and everyone benefits.

"The bus drivers and passengers get an extra sense of security and the officer gets to meet people from the local community and increase their visibility.

"Certainly the feedback I've had from people about my presence on the buses, especially those travelling on services which coincide with school closing times, has been very positive."

Travelling on buses is just one of the ways in which Kevin hopes to combat crime and in particular, anti-social behaviour.

Working in partnership with the Safer Travel Unit, he is also planning to deliver talks to school children in Padiham about crime and disorder issues.

The introduction of PCSOs came after police received almost £1million in Government cash to make East Lancashire's streets a safer place

The recruits have limited powers and work alongside the police.

Last year, police and transport chiefs warned that bus services attacked by youths could be axed altogether unless parents keep a close eye on their children after a series of attacks on buses in Accrington Road.