COUNCILLORS could soon be leaving the debating table in the town hall and start pounding the beat with local police officers.

Teams of representatives and police community beat managers could be sent out on special walkabouts in local areas.

They will be able to point out what can be done to help improve the areas, from graffiti to poor lighting.

Eventually, every councillor in the city could be joining in with the scheme, but some are happier than others.

Councillor Albert Richardson, representative for the St Matthew's Ward, covering the troubled New Hall Lane and Ribbleton Lane areas, said: "I live right in the middle of the ward and I'm sure the police are well aware of the problem areas.

"If it takes me to point them out the police aren't doing their job. They are there for everybody to see."

And Coun Richardson added that the police need to pick their times carefully to catch trouble-makers in the act. He said: "It's no good them coming at eight o'clock in the morning."

The walkabouts were a brainwave of the council's area forums, which give local people the chance to voice concerns directly to the police and council.

The proposal for the 'visual audits' adds that teams of councillors and police could also stop people to ask their views.

Councillor Andy Campbell, deputy leader of the council and ward representative for Ribbleton, said: "There is often a misunderstanding about whose role it is to cover certain areas. Anything that gets different agencies working together in the same direction can only be encouraged."

Chief Superintendent Russ Weaver, head of Preston police, said: "All the police activity in the world sometimes doesn't get to the problem of the fear of crime.

"We can suggest things if we team up with councillors, walk through certain areas and take stock of the problems in an particular place."