WHEN it comes to getting to and from your beat area, there's nothing better than a bus, according to Duke Bar Community Beat Bobby PC Richard Collopy.

While other officers travel to and from their beat areas by foot or bike, he will be hopping on the bus to meet and greet the public.

He believes by doing this it is a great way to get to know local people and increase public reassurance.

It's also proving cost effective too, since the local bus company have agreed to let him travel for free while on police business.

PC Collopy, who patrols the Duke Bar area, said: "The local bus company have kindly agreed to let me travel in and around my area free of charge, which is great.

"I get around much quicker, get to meet more local people, and passengers get a high visibility police presence and increased reassurance.

"Of course there are other benefits too. Bus passengers and drivers sometimes experience trouble with rowdy youngsters and a police presence on the buses will no doubt deter that."

Inspector John Clucas from Burnley Police said: "This is an excellent example of a local company working in partnership with the police to help tackle crime and disorder.

"It is only a small initiative but we are very pleased with it because the more businesses that work in conjunction with police, the greater the benefit to society as a whole."

Graham Mitchell, a spokesman for Burnley and Pendle Transport, said the company welcomed links with the police.

He added: "There's a general principal throughout the northern group of Blazefield Holdings (the company that owns BPT) that police officers may use buses free of charge in uniform.

"It's not often taken up but in today's climate of anti-social behaviour we are encouraging it more and more. We are trying to make police officers in the towns we cover aware of this facility.

"It is great for security and the safety of the passenger and is a human extension of the CCTV system."