SPECIALIST community beat officers are being introduced in areas of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

The decision to appoint the 18 officers was taken following feedback from local residents, particularly those affected by the riots in Burnley in June.

The new-style community beat officers, who are expected to be in post for a minimum of two years, will be highly visible and easily accessible to their appointed communities.

They will carry out their duties mostly on foot, work a shift which matches local crime patterns and community needs and be fully accountable to the local residents on their beat.

Seven are being allocated to wards in Burnley East, three to Burnley west, three to Nelson, one to Colne, two to Rossendale East and two to Rossendale West, in wards identified as suffering from high rates of nuisance, disorder and crime.

The plans are being finalised and all officers are expected to be in operation in the next week or so.

Pennine Division commander Chief Supt John Knowles said: "We know that the public feel reassured when they see police officers in the area where they live, work or spend leisure time which is why we are keen to put dedicated officers on patrol in certain key areas.

"These officers will work in high visibility clothing and won't be deviated from their duties unless it is absolutely necessary and even then only as a last resort.

"They will be expected to get to know their local communities and establish and maintain contact with key individuals and organisations on their beat.

He added: "They will also be responsible for organising local police surgeries and for working with local residents to solve local policing problems and combat crime."

Some are already in post but not currently known as community beat officers. All are being recruited from within the division.

Chief Supt Knowles added: "By re-visiting our policing strategy and introducing new patrol plans we have been able to create a certain amount of flexibility within the division.

"This, combined with a steady stream of new recruits, has enabled us to create the space we need for our community beat officers.

"But unfortunately, we won't be able to provide every ward with their own dedicated officer however much we would like to -- we simply don't have the funds to do that. But that doesn't mean to say they will be forgotten -- far from it. We are keen to improve communication between ourselves and all our communities."

Pennine Division had, he said, become extremely effective at targeting hotspot crime areas and persistent offenders.

"Enhancing our capability to deliver community policing is a legitimate and timely evolution for us and I hope that the public will welcome and support our aims to further improve the quality and delivery of policing in Pennine," he added.