CONTROVERSIAL security firm Group 4 took over the transport of prisoners in East Lancashire from the police today.

And the company, famous for its well-publicised great escapes, vowed today: "We'll do everything humanly possible to ensure a smooth transition."

Group 4 has taken control of moving prisoners to and from courts, jails and police stations in Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley, Rossendale, Pendle and the Ribble Valley.

Last year the firm was awarded a £48.9 million, seven-year contract from the prison service to cover the North of England, including Lancashire, Northumberland, Cumbria and parts of North Yorkshire.

The move means dozens of police officers who had been carrying out escort duties will be freed for other policing matters.

Group 4 director David Dickinson said: "We were severely knocked four years ago because of some incidents but those days have gone. "We will be doing everything humanly possible to ensure a smooth transition in Lancashire.

"We have 86 per cent fewer escapes than when the operation was run by the prison service. The move is good news for the people of Lancashire because we'll be helping put bobbies back on the beat."

The firm says the 300 new staff - of which 60 will be based in Lancashire - have been carefully selected for the job and have been security screened by the Home Office.

Lancashire Constabulary hopes many officers now freed of the duty will end up patrolling the streets, in line with Chief Constable Pauline Clare's aim of devoting more manpower to front-line policing.

A Lancashire police spokeswoman said: "We're one of the last areas in the North West to use Group 4 so we're being brought into line with everyone else.

"We're not expecting any problems and effectively this means police officers will no longer act as jailors in court rooms in Lancashire, except for exceptional circumstances."

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