THREE new inspectors have been put in charge of policing at Burnley, Padiham and Colne.

Inspector Dave Croll, previously a temporary inspector at Colne, has moved to Burnley, replacing John Clucas who has become a Divisional Response Inspector.

Former Barnoldswick Sergeant and Response Inspector Martin Holleran takes over at Colne, and Acting Inspector Jon Bullas takes over the reins at Padiham. Inspector Richard Blackburn has left Padiham to go to Lancashire Police HQ at Hutton on promotion to Chief Inspector.

Chief Inspector in charge of Operations, Richard Morgan, said: "All three of the new inspectors are highly experienced officers who have spent the vast majority of their careers in the geographical areas they are taking up posts in.

"Each of them begins their new job fully aware of the local crime and disorder issues and fully committed to workingwith the local community to help address them."

Insp Martin Holleran, 39, who is married with two children, began his career in Barnoldswick in 1982. He has worked as a Tutor Constable, training new PCs, and as a geographic sgt in Barnoldswick and Colne. He has also worked as a divisional training officer and an acting response inspector.

Dave Croll, 40, joined the force in 1981 and has worked in Nelson, Burnley and Colne. He has also served on the Pennine Division Support Unit and in the Community Safety Dept in Burnley as well as a spell in Rawtenstall as a Problem Oriented Policing Sgt. He is married with two children.

Jon Bullas, 33, joined the constabulary in 1993 as a foot patrol officer in Nelson where he stayed until 1997 until taking up post as a Support Unit officer.

In 1999 he was promoted Sgt and worked in Burnley, helping to set up the acclaimed Burnley Against Nighttime Disorder (BAND) scheme.

In 2001 he moved to Padiham where he worked on the criminal targeting team. He is married with two children.