PRESTON'S outgoing police chief has said the city could be a model for others redeveloping their town centres.

Chief Superintendent Russ Weaver who is transferring to Blackpool on March 1 to become western divisional commander, believes there is huge potential for the police to help design the future of Preston.

He said: "I am sad to be leaving Preston as the city has got so much potential for the future, but I am flattered to be asked to take the job in Blackpool because there are lots of challenges there.

"There are one or two issues around violent crime and night time crime.

"However, with projects like Tithebarn there is a real opportunity for Preston to become a model of a vibrant city with a thriving night time economy and a safe place where people want to come and visit.

And he said seeing Preston achieve city status was one of the highlights of his three years in office.

Chf Supt Weaver will be replaced by Chf Supt Mike Barton who is transferring from the constabulary's headquarters in Hutton, where he has been the head of corporate development for the past nine months.

The shuffle has been triggered by the appointment of Lancashire's chief constable Paul Stephenson to the high-profile position of deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service.

Chf Supt Barton said his priority is going to be tackling minor nuisances and anti-social behaviour. He said: "The challenge is to make sure we deal with minor nuisances and anti-social behaviour as we have done with traditionally serious crimes.

"I have seen from headquarters what a well run division this is and the work that has been done in reducing burglaries and fighting drug crime.

"We will keep taking that particular fight to the door of the criminals."