MORE police are set to take to the streets of the Ribble Valley despite cuts to police resources, according to the borough’s new top cop.

Inspector Ian Cooper, 47, has taken over the reins in the region replacing Insp Hassan Khan, who has moved to the Early Intervention team at Hutton.

He said that the Ribble Valleywould see more bobbies back on the beat during his tenure in the top job.

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Insp Cooper began is policing career with Sussex Police covering the streets of Brighton and quickly rose through the ranks as part of the High Potential Development Scheme.

He was made acting sergeant after three years and in 2003 moved to Lancashire and covered Bacup before being promoted to a sergeant’s position in Pendle In 2008 he was promoted to geographic inspector of Pendle and has also worked at the police headquarters in Hutton and Blackburn before applying for his new post.

He said: “I’m really enjoying being back in an operational role. I’ve spent the last few years behind a desk and it’s nice to get back out there.

“The Ribble Valley, comparatively, does not have a lot of crime so the role of the police in the borough is slightly different to other areas in East Lancashire. One of my aims is to get more of my officers out into the community so that they can be more of a visible presence.

Cllr Stuart Hirst, the leader of Ribble Valley Borough Council, said: “Insp Hassan Khan has done a first class job during his time in the area and has built strong links with local organisations. As an authority we would like to thank him for his work.

“We have a great relationship with the local police and we hope that it will continue with Insp Cooper.”