Craven Herald News
Shake-up 'will not harm policing in West Craven'
12:50pm Friday 10th February 2012
A reshuffle in Lancashire Police will result is the loss of three beat managers from the West Craven Neighbourhood Policing Team.
But Chief Superintendent Clive Tattum, responsible for the Pennine Division, said he was confident that the level of policing in West Craven would meet the needs of local people.
The move follows a neighbourhood policing review, which was driven by the need for the constabulary to save £44 million over four years.
Chief Supt Tattum said: “Whilst this will mean a reduction of three community beat managers (CBM) operating in the West Craven area, the constabulary has recognised the need for an accessible and visible policing team in the community and the two remaining CBMs will continue to work from the Barnoldswick base.
“These officers will now have sole responsibility for the communities of West Craven and will be dedicated to dealing with local issues, reducing crime and tackling anti-social behaviour. The Earby CBM will also have responsibility for Boulsworth ward covering Laneshawbridge and Trawden.
“There will continue to be three PCSOs working in the neighbourhood policing team along with a 24-hour response cover for the area. Despite the reduction in CBMs, we are confident that the level of policing in the West Craven area will continue to meets the needs and expectations of local people. Lancashire Constab-ulary remains committed to neighbourhood policing as the foundation of its policing style and is clear that the new model will continue to serve the public of West Craven well whilst being affordable.”
But Earby town councillor and police volunteer Vera Cocker said: “The old model wasn’t working. The new model will relate to how they deploy officers. It can’t be any worse than what it was.
“We’ll have to wait and see how it works, but the two community beat managers (PC Matt Lunney and PC Carl Nevison) are very popular in Earby.
“My concern is that Carl Nevison will have to double up and cover the Boulsworth ward, a place which has similar problems to what we do. They could be spreading them a bit too thinly.”