CRIME prevention in rural Ribble Valley has gone on the road with the launch of a £34,000 mobile police station.

The station will be staffed by Police Community Support Officer Nigel Williams and offer police surgeries in Ribble Valley villages.

Insp Bob Ford, of Clitheroe Police, said the office would significantly increase police visibility in rural areas, as well as help communication between the police and local communities.

PCSO Williams will visit villages to a published timetable, details of which will be displayed on village noticeboards.

The mobile office will park in a prominent place in the village centre and PCSO Williams will go foot patrol in the area, before spending time in the office to deal with inquiries.

Members of the public can report crimes, hand over or report lost property, and even produce documents, if required to do so.

PCSO Williams said: "I am really looking forward to working in the rural areas and aim to provide a highly visible presence and answer any inquiries.

"I will also be able to give crime prevention advice, including property marking, and I am sure that with public support the mobile office will be a big success."

The mobile office is a purpose-built Ford Transit van, specially designed to meet the needs of the community, with access for the disabled and seating for several people.

Insp Ford added: "The Ribble Valley is a large area and these surgeries will increase the opportunities for people to make contact with the police face-to-face. The new facility doesn't replace anything we already have, but complements our existing service."

The mobile police station will operate on a two-week rota, beginning Tuesday, March 25. On week one it will operate on Tuesdays and Thursday to Sunday. On week two it will operate Monday to Friday.

Week one: March 25 - Clitheroe Auction Mart, Hurst Green Copster Green, Simonstone, Read. 27 - Gisburn Auction Mart Barrow, Sabden. 28 - Langho, Wilpshire, Mellor. 29 - Waddington, West Bradford, Grindleton, Chipping. 30 - Slaidburn, Downham, Rimington, Sawley.

Week two: March 31 - Pendleton, Ribchester, Read, Simonstone. April 1 - Wiswell, Sabden, Chatburn, Bashall Eaves, Chipping. 2 - Clitheroe Auction Mart. 3 - Gisburn Auction Mart, Paythorne, Slaidburn, Newton, Dunsop Bridge. 4 - Chatburn, Downham, Rimington, Bolton-by-Bowland, West Bradford, Waddington.