A NEW police boss has taken over the Eastern Division, covering Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

Chief Superintendent Dave Mallaby, 44, succeeds John Thompson, who has retired.

Mr Mallaby, who comes from Blackburn and was Mr Thompson's deputy, outlined some of his aims and said: "I am lucky in that I know the division, I know the people who we are committed to serve and already have strong relationships with partner agencies.

"This all means I have hit the ground running when I have taken command and am keen to progress the excellent steps the division has made in community-based policing.

"I think it is important that the public have a familiar police officer that they can approach with their problems and that they can be confident they will be dealt with properly.

"Continuity of staff is an important issue and it is my intention that officers who have the important role of community beat managers stay in that role for a significant period of time.

"The public rightly expect to be treated fairly and courteously by the police and it is important that we meet those expectations.

"For local people to have faith in their local officers, we need to be able to give that little bit extra to provide reassurance."