POLICE have launched a new booklet aimed at explaining their services to people with learning disabilities, in a bid to encourage them to come forward and report crime.

About 1,000 copies of the eight-page booklet have been produced by Pennine PCs Karen Fitzpatrick and Steve Loughlin, in partnership with learning disability charity Mencap.

The full colour leaflets explain what the police can do to help, when and how they can be contacted and what sort of information the police require when people contact them to report a crime or criminal.

The leaflets also contain a list of useful numbers for organisations like the Citizens Advice Bureau, Victim Support and Social Services.

PC Loughlin, from Pennine's Community Safety Team, said: "We are keen to make sure that everyone living in Pennine Division is aware of our services and knows how and when to contact us.

"We are also keen to ensure that people feel confident reporting incidents, especially the more vulnerable people living in our local communities.

"Through our ongoing liaison with Mencap, we became aware that some people with learning disabilities were experiencing problems accessing our services: either because they weren't entirely sure what the police could do for them or how to contact us or what rights they had.

"This special guide is designed to explain all of these things and more, as well as encourage people with learning disabilities to report incidents to the police."

Carl Travis, Mencap's district officer, said: "Mencap research has shown that many people with learning disabilities experience problems with bullying and harassment, but rarely report this to the police.

"We are pleased to have co-produced this booklet to explain how the police can help and how to contact them.

"The booklets are being distributed around East Lancashire and soon we hope to make them available to the whole of Lancashire."

Copies of the leaflet are available from local police stations or by calling Mencap's North West Head Office on 0161 888 1202.