THE leader of Ribble Valley Council has called for the police and crime commissioner to end cuts from rural policing.

Cllr Ken Hind, who represents Longridge on the council, has asked the commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, to put more money into the boroughs policing unit.

He said the lack of police in the borough could see people in need waiting long periods of time before officers reach them.

Cllr Hind said it is putting communities 'at risk.

He said: "Police officers who cover the largest rural area in Lancashire, the Ribble Valley are based in Colne.

"An incident in a village like Slaidburn or Longridge could take the police as long as 40 minutes to respond to as they are so far away.

"The police station in Longridge is partially closed and not open to the public.

"This is all putting the safety of rural communities at risk."

This comes as the commissioner announced plans to close 10 public counters across the county to save cash.

These include Darwen, Clitheroe, Waterfoot, Colne and Barnoldswick.

Ribble Valley's MP, Nigel Evans, has vowed to fight the plans to close the desks.

Cllr Hind said this is breaking links between police and communities.

He said: "We are strongly opposed is to close the front office in Clitheroe Police station.

"In this issue I support the efforts of Unison the trade union representing the civilian staff who man the front desk to keep it open.

"Members of the public who require police assistance or want to produce documents will now have to go to Blackburn, Burnley or Preston for this service.

"The large rural area of Ribble Valley will have no front desk police presence, all the police stations will be closed to the public. This breaking the links between police and communities."