SPECIAL crime-busting officers, who have now been pounding the beat in Leyland for about a month, say their presence has gone down a storm.

Police community support officers were drafted in to the town in February to patrol troublespots including the Wade Hall estate.

Recently they have worked with regular police officers to remove one troublemaker off the estate for anti-social behaviour and helped officers arrest people for drug offences.

Tony Wojnarowski is one of 12 full-time support workers working with the police's southern division, based at Leyland, and including Chorley and Skelmersdale.

His boss, community beat manager PC John Brady, said: "Tony has made a very positive impact, by developing relationships with the local community. And we've had very positive feedback from residents via area council meetings and Neighbourhood Watch."

The officers have been working with schools in the area including Woodlea, St Annes and Seven Stars and St Mary's High School, on the Wade Hall estate.

And they are confident they are making an impact on the crime levels in the area.

PC Brady said: "Throughout last month there's been 15 crimes recorded on Wade Hall, five relating to the same address. Out of these 15 crimes eight have been detected."