A NEW police officer has been walking the beat in Golborne and Hindley. Sgt Andrea Jones is filling the shoes of Sgt John Rigby who has stepped down from his post as community beat sergeant. As Sgt Jones settles into her new role, she is determined to increase the public's confidence in the police.

The Lancaster University graduate -- with an Honours Degree in Applied Social Science and Physical Education -- said she would encourage the prevention and reduction of crime by involving the police more in community issues.

Married to Ian, a facilities manager for Siemens in Manchester, Andrea joined the police nine years ago.

She was posted to the Salford division and worked for five years in the Swinton, Little Hulton and Eccles areas. She then went on to be based for a short time at the tactical aid unit in Heywood and the family support unit at Salford. Four years ago Andrea moved to the Leigh Sub Division, where she worked in the Hindley, Tyldesley and Leigh areas.