A SENIOR Rossendale officer has admitted he is not happy with the way Bacup is being policed.

But Supt Steve Hartley intends to tackle the problem personally and is certain things will improve.

He says that in the last two and a half years, a number of senior officers have left the Bacup area.

He added: "People are correct in saying there have been a number of different inspectors in recent years. That concern is shared by myself and other senior officers."

Insp David Robinson has left Bacup station to take up a new position with Lancashire Constabulary's Southern Division. And a previous Inspector was forced to leave after being promoted out of the area.

Insp Robinson replaced Mick Marren who was promoted to Chief Inspector in charge of uniformed operations at Pennine Divisions headquarters in Burnley.

At the time of his appointment in March last year, he said he was committed to delivering a high quality of service to local residents.

Supt Hartley continued: "David spent more than 12 months with us but we would want staff to stay longer than that.

"We are trying to develop a management team committed to remaining in the division. For example, in Bacup I want to put an Inspector in place who is local and will want to stay for at least two to three years.

"And I fully expect to be putting one in place who will be doing just that. It means that for the first time in more than a decade, Bacup will have an Inspector who will be staying.

Supt Hartley added that being domiciled in the area gave him an advantage.

"I live locally and have been here for six months. I know that people have real concerns on this and will be more than happy to speak to them to give my personal assurance that we are bring local officers who will give a quality service to the people of Rossendale."