MOVES to bring Longridge and several Ribble Valley villages into the Blackburn police division have met fierce opposition from residents.

The Ribble Valley is the only borough in Lancashire that is split among two police divisions.

The borough council's policy and finance committee heard that, under the Crime and Disorder Bill, which comes into force next April, local authorities will have to produce a Community Safety Plan.

But the Ribble Valley will end up with two plans and the council is looking to bring villages in the Preston police division into Blackburn.

Blackburn police divisional commander Eddie Walsh and his counterpart in Preston, Mike Tong, are known to favour the reshuffle, the meeting heard.

Ribble Valley Council chief executive Dave Morris said splitting the Ribble Valley into two separate police areas would make the job of producing a consistent strategy "more difficult and time-consuming".

"A move to include the whole of the Ribble Valley in the Blackburn police division would involve no change in the operational policing arrangements for Longridge and no reduction in the level of police resources devoted to the area," he said.

But the meeting heard that Longridge councillors had "grave concerns" over future policing levels under the changes, while members of the town's Neighbourhood Watch scheme had expressed "deep concern" at the proposal.

Hothersall and Chipping Parish Councils also wanted to remain in the Preston police division. Ribble Valley Mayor David Smith, who represents Longridge, said there was "nothing to be gained from changing the boundaries".

"We just want to see a policeman. We're not bothered where they come from. There's nothing to be gained from changing boundaries and we want guarantees that manning levels will not be lowered if they go ahead," he said.

Councillors supported a recommendation from officers that a meeting be arranged between police chiefs and those opposing the reshuffle for assurances regarding the future policing of villages.

"Only when this meeting has taken place should we formally request that the whole of the Ribble Valley be placed in the Blackburn police division," the chief executive said.

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