A NEW beat bobby is giving out badges to youngsters in a bid to get to know the community PC Dave Pascoe, whose patch is Bank Hall, Burnley, will hand out the badges bearing the slogan "I'm bobby's buddy".

He said he would give them to any youngsters who approach them while he was out on patrol.

PC Pascoe said: "I want local youths to get to know me and my fellow neighbourhood officers so that if they need help in the future they have a familiar face to turn to.

"If you are a parent, then please encourage your youngsters to get to know my name and face so that if they ever find themselves in trouble or in need of advice, they know who I am and how to contact me."

PC Pascoe has taken over in Bank Hall from PC Dave Clark who has moved on after being promoted to the rank of sergeant.

For the past 12 years PC Pascoe has spent has been an armed response officer and prior to that worked as a patrol officer in the Rossendale Valley.

PC Pascoe will work closely with Police Community Support Officers Gerry Woods and Mick Fletcher, together with five neighbourhood response officers.

And, later this month, the team will be further bolstered with the arrival of another new PCSO.

When he is on duty, PC Pascoe can be contacted on voicemail 01282 472908 or mobile 07903 978958.

Details of other local neighbourhood police officers can be found at www.lancashire.police.uk or by calling 0845 1 253545.