NEIGHBOURHOOD watch campaigners and councillors have given the thumbs up to a police restructure which could see more bobbies on Preston's streets.

From April, Lancashire Constabulary is reshuffling the force and bringing in an extra 55 new officers as well as releasing 130 from Hutton headquarters into the community.

Deepdale Councillor Terry Cartwright said he was delighted with the plans: "I want to see a return to the good old days of bobbies on the beat. This is good news.

"If you stop a policeman these days other people are suspicious.

"People want to see visible policing."

Frenchwood's Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator Joan Higginson said it was a good idea as long as other crimes didn't suffer as a result. She said: "If you've got resources and as long as other aspects of crime prevention are not neglected fine."

Deepdale's Co-ordinator Jim Dean said: "Beat bobbies put people off crime. I think they have got it to do."

It is not yet known exactly where the new officers will be located.

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