A COUNCILLOR has hit out at the policing in her ward, claiming that the few officers that do patrol there are moved to cover for other areas.

Coun Jean Rigby, whose North Turton and Tockholes ward is made up of the rural villages of Edgworth, Entwistle, Tockholes, Belmont, and Chapeltown, said that officers whose designated beats are in that area are very often pulled to cover for absences in Darwen.

"There are only three officers to patrol that area but a lot of the time you cannot get hold of them because they are in Darwen," said Coun Rigby. "When the officers are around here, they do a good job but this ward is suffering. There is a lot of vandalism by youths from nearby Bromley Cross and I feel a more visible police presence could put a stop to this."

At present, the North Turton with Tockholes ward is served by three police stations at Bolton Road, Edgworth, Embankment Road, Chapeltown and High Street, Belmont.

But Coun Rigby is asking for more to be done about crime in what are small rural villages, particularly drug-related offences. "Because we are a rural community, drugs are not associated with us but there is a problem, needles are found on the park quite often," said Coun Rigby.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said that the areas the rural policemen cover are quite large and it can take a long time to get around. They added that occasionally officers may go into Darwen as that is the nearest station to get equipment and to go for briefings but at no time is the quality of service affected.