RESIDENTS in West Craven will already have started to see more bobbies on the beat but the man who will co-ordinate their activities is the area's new sergeant Chris Saville.

Chris, 37, who lives in Clitheroe with his wife Cathy and their four-year-old twins, took up the position of sergeant on Tuesday and will be in charge of the new community beat managers (CBM) in Barnoldswick and Earby.

He will be based at Barnoldswick police stion and is optimistic that the new system of officers on foot and on bicycles in West Craven will work well.

He said: "Quite a large part of my responsibility while I was based in Colne was activity in West Craven so I do know the area. The CBMs are there to provide the public with reassurance. It is a wonderful opportunity for me and an excellent thing for the people of West Craven.

"I will be getting out and about as much as I can and will be carrying out high visibility foot patrols with the officers. The main role of the CBMs is to be highly visible so that people have an instant point of recognition. The measure of success is the people of West Craven agreeing with me that it works well."

Chris joined the police force in 1986, after gaining a degree in classical studies at Hull University, and spent five years in Skelmersdale, Tarleton, Burscough and Ormskirk.

He came to East Lancashire ten years ago when he joined Accrington Police and he was promoted to sergeant at Burnley two years later.

While there he was geographic response sergeant, a custody officer and worked on the management support unit.

He moved on to Colne 18 months ago where he was geographic sergeant.