VILLAGES around Colne have been given their own dedicated bobby to tackle crime and disorder.

PC Andy Eddleston, formerly a detective constable at Colne CID, has been appointed the borough's 12th community beat manager.

He will cover Trawden, Laneshawbridge, Wycoller and Foulridge areas, carrying out regular foot and vehicle patrols, as well as community liaison work and active targeting of suspected criminals.

His appointment follows the successful introduction of 28 other community beat managers in the Pennine policing division.

PC Eddleston, 39, has been a police officer for 11 years. He began his career in 1991 as a uniformed patrol officer in Accrington before joining the Accrington Sub Division CID in 1996. One year later he moved to the reactive unit in Accrington where he worked for three years before taking up a post as detective in Colne.

Local geographic Inspector Martin Holleran, said: "I am very pleased to be able to put another dedicated officer on patrol in Pendle to work with the local community to tackle crime and disorder issues.

"The officer we have chosen is an outstanding policeman. He is very experienced and enthusiastic and I know that he will make a big difference to the local community.

"Highly visible and easily accessible to the communities they serve, the job of a community beat manager is to deter criminals, provide reassurance to people living and working in their area and fight crime in partnership with their local communities.

"PC Eddleston, who once earned a commendation for good police work and the arrest of a high number of offenders, is ideally placed for this role.

"I would urge local residents to give him their full support. That includes working with him not only to identify problem areas and individuals but also to play a part in providing solutions to those problems."

PC Eddleston said: "I am looking forward to the job. It will be a challenge and something different. I want people to help me as much as they can and if they have problems which are not emergencies, I would prefer them to ring me rather than jamming lines to the main police centres.

"I will also be releasing times of my surgeries when people can come and talk to me."

PC Eddleston can be contacted on 07715 652588.