A POLICEMAN whose patch is hundreds of miles away has praised the Citizen's practice of publishing the names of banned drivers.

PC Martin O'Neill, from Trowbridge in Wiltshire, saw the articles in your favourite free newspaper when visiting his parents in Bamber Bridge, Preston.

And the Bobby thought it such a good idea he put in a report to his superiors in a bid to get a similar scheme started in his home town.

PC O'Neill said: "I think it is a great idea.

"People know this is going on and if they saw the names of banned drivers in the paper it might stop other drivers - either through embarrassment or people ringing in to report them."

The Citizen was also praised by PC Gary Bolton from Preston police's intelligence office.

He said: "The response has been fantastic. We're so impressed with it.

"I thought it might be something that died a death after a bit. But you've kept it going by putting it in the paper and keeping the ball rolling."

PC Bolton said he had also received many positive response from other forces keen to set up a similar scheme, including Blackburn, Accrington, Lancaster and as far away as Cumbria and North Yorkshire.

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