AN Initiative to make shoppers feel safer is be unveiled in Accrington.

The Town Centre Regeneration Board is to finance the cost of high-visibility jackets for the newly-created town centre team of police officers.

Under a restructuring of the town's police force, 10 police officers and one sergeant cover the town centre, with the rest of Accrington, Huncoat, Baxenden and Oswaldtwistle being split into five geographical areas.

Now the board -- made up of councillors, regeneration chiefs and traders -- will hand over £1,450 to pay for the jackets which, traders hope, will make sure people know their bobbies on the beat.

It is the first time in recent years police officers have been assigned solely to the town centre.

Inspector Dale Allen of Accrington Police said: "By putting officers in the town centre we want people to feel safe and let criminals know we are here.

"An ideal way of doing this is to have our officers wearing high-visibility jackets.

"We want to make Accrington a welcoming place for shoppers, somewhere where they can feel safe."

The jackets, costing £120 each, will bear the words Town Centre Team. The borough council crest will also be placed on them, highlighting the partnership between the council and police.

Despite the fact the police system has only been operational for a fortnight, Insp Allen added it was already proving effective.

He added: "We have had positive feedback already from the public saying it is good to see officers back on the beat."