A BOBBY on the beat is putting his best foot forward to stamp out crime in a troubled town square.

Since PC Phillip Stevenson became the new area beat officer for Clayton-le-Moors in January crime in and around the vandalism-hit Barnes Square area has fallen dramatically.

And now the 40-year-old policeman is forging links with the town's youngsters responsible for the recent mini crime wave.

He said: "It's all about building bridges and getting to know the children. I'm quite lucky because I have been associated with the area for the past 18 years and feel they can associate with me.

"There will always be problems when kids get together but if you give them a bit of leeway they will respond positively and since I have been here I have certainly witnessed that."

PC Stevenson's work has been praised by local residents and shopkeepers who are now looking forward to a brighter, vandalism-free future.

The town's teenagers have already linked up with their neighbours and Hyndburn Council-run environmental group Prospects to redesign Barnes Square. The group has received £500 funding for a landscape architect to work alongside the children.

One resident said: "Phillip has made a big difference to the town and vandalism has certainly come down. He is forging links with the children and establishing a good relationship built on trust."

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