AN East Lancs councillor who chairs the county's police watchdog committee has witnessed the force's operations first-hand.

County Cllr Jackie Oakes, who represents Rossendale East division, as well as being a Stacksteads Labour ward councillor for the borough, heads up Lancashire's police and crime panel.

She accepted an invitation from police and crime commissioner Andrew Snowden to visit Blackburn's Greenbank divisional policing headquarters.

County Cllr Oakes went out with the specialist Tac Ops unit, on the front line alongside officers, seeing high priority calls being responded to and proactive targeting of dangerous drivers.

Later the party went to Lancashire Constabulary Headquarters at Hutton, near Preston, to meet with specialist teams in the dogs unit, mounted division and drones section.

The delegation then met with the force's chief officer team to hear about the operational direction of the force and how investment is helping tackle crime and keep people safe.

Cllr Oakes has previously lobbied for a police front counter to be reopened in Rossendale, which occurred last month when the Waterfoot office was reinstated.

She has also been interested in the policing model for the borough, which has seen officer numbers increase but seen staffing split between response and neighbourhood duties, rather than a 'hybrid' role.

Mr Snowden said: "The Police and Crime Panel scrutinise the work I am doing as commissioner and ensure I am delivering my Fighting Crime Plan so I was really keen for the chair to join me and gain an in-depth look at the work Lancashire Constabulary do to take the fight to criminals.

“Our dedicated policing teams work around the clock to keep people safe, and this was a great chance to see how the different departments from dogs and horses to tac ops and neighbourhood teams, work together and are best used to get criminals behind bars.

“As I continue to lead the fight against crime and deliver on the issues that matter most to people, I will continue to work with the Chief Constable to ensure investment, with extra officers being recruited and out on our streets, is used efficiently and effectively to protect the people of Lancashire and get tough on the criminals who blight our communities.”