RESIDENTS in Padiham welcomed the news four new community beat bobbies at their anti-social behaviour meeting in the hope they will get to grips with crime.

The meeting, held at Pendle Street Baptist Church, was attended by various members of the community, including Padiham's Mayor, Granville Lord, councillors and police officers.

Residents welcomed the introduction of four new community beat managers, who will be patrolling the streets in a bid to crack down on crime.

The new officers will start their duties on November 4 in a bid to help bring down levels of crime in the town.

Inspector David Croll said after the meeting: "This comes on the back of the successfully launched community beat managers in Burnley and Pendle. Padiham will have four of their own now with 24-hour response cover, which has been welcomed by the community at the meeting."

At the meeting, residents were also calling for more youth workers to help out at the town's youth club.

They wanted positive steps to be taken by police to reduce vandalism, noise levels and fly-tipping.

Speaking on behalf of the residents, Granville Lord said: "We were pleased to find out that Padiham is going to be protected by four beat bobby's who will be on hand for local people.

"I think when people start to see police patrolling the streets it will help them feel safer and perhaps help deter some of the crime that has been on-going in this town.

"We feel proud to be an independent town. We have our own council and now have our own policing system, which is great.

"There are a lot of issues that still need tackling which residents feel strongly about. I will be working with the council and the police to help get to the bottom of it."

The next community meeting is to be held on Wednesday, December 4 at Pendle Street Baptist Church.