RADICAL changes to the policing of the Ribble Valley have begun to provide more officers in trouble spots and at crucial times of the week.

A combination of eight and 10 hour shifts between 41 constables and six sergeants based in stations in Clitheroe, Longridge and Chatburn, means all the area is being covered more effectively.

And an overlap of several hours has been introduced in some cases when more police can be deployed to cover potential trouble spots at specific times.

One such time when additional coverage would be beneficial is at weekends in Whalley after numerous incidents at Rendezvous nightclub.

"We are effectively making better use of the resources we have to continue to make the Ribble Valley one of the safest places to live. We do not have particularly bad crime statistics and aim to keep it that way," said Clitheroe-based Insp Bob Ford.

Figures for reported crime have, however, risen by 40 per cent in Clitheroe town centre with around 288 incidents reported in the past year.

Deploying additional police to cover the area at the times when the majority of the incidents occur is now more easily controlled. The overlap during quieter times will allow the beat officers more time to spend dealing with matters on their own patch.

The new shift system should make a marked difference in visual police presence in all the areas covered in the Valley which houses around 53,000 residents.

All rural beat cars are to be marked with police livery to reinforce the presence.

Chatburn Parish Council chairman Ted Boden is pleased the village will be a base: "The council unanimously feels it is a step forward for the village though crime has dropped in recent times " he said.

"The raised police presence should certainly act as a deterrent to crime."