AN area which has been without its beat bobby for 18 months is to get its own patrol officer.

Former rural beat officer PC Glynn Grey will become community beat manager for Cliviger with Worsthorne, in a move agreed with local councillors five weeks ago.

The areas were previously patrolled by two rural beat officers, but one had been absent for some time due to sickness and both had responsibility not just for their own areas, but urgent jobs in other parts of Burnley.

As a community beat manager, PC Grey will work solely in Cliviger and Worsthorne and like Pennine Division's other 24 community beat managers, only be taken from his duties in special circumstances.

The town's other rural beat officer, PC Mick Tomlinson, has become community beat manager for Briercliffe.

Head of Burnley police, Inspector John Clucas, said: "The changes are designed to enable Burnley police to make the best use of limited resources and give residents what they want, which is a dedicated patrol officer.

"It does mean that there are two officers on routine patrol as opposed to three but given that PC Palmer had not being fully operational for some time and the fact that the rural officers were always being asked to carry out duties elsewhere, this latest move means local residents are much better off.

"They have two very experienced, dedicated community beat managers who know the area and will be spending 100% of their available time in the area."

Inspector Clucas said: "We considered the views of local residents, given at community meetings and via letters to the police, and we also consulted with local councillors before making the changes -- which are changes for the better.

"And we will also be carefully monitoring the effects of the changes to ensure that all parties in the area are receiving a high quality policing service."

He added: "The appointment of CBMs in other communities in the Division has met with huge public support and I would urge local residents to give PC Grey and PC Tomlinson in Briercliffe, their full support."

Anybody who wishes to speak to PC Glynn Grey can contact him on 01282 423201. PC Mick Tomlinson can be contacted on 01282 426660.