Look out, there's a copper about

The new superintendent of police in Lancaster has vowed to make them the target of a major clampdown.

Mick Marren has been appointed to pole position in Lancashire's northern division with the task of filling the boots of his predecessor Jerry Graham.

The former chief inspector at Burnley has worked his way up the ranks after swapping the classroom for the beat - he joined the force after teaching in Fleetwood for five years.

The father-of-two warns that criminals using local roads to bring drugs into the area, reckless drivers and anyone guilty of anti-social behaviour will be targeted.

"If a property is the root of anti-social behaviour and causing distress, we will not think twice about shutting it down as we did with Lythe Road," says Sup't Marren.

"We will also be using orders to break up gangs of under 16s causing the public alarm and distress. I am determined to do what I can to sort out the problems for residents."

His role will be to oversee the day-to-day business of the division and he says community 'engagement' will be top of the agenda.

"Over the next 12 months there will be a number of initiatives in the pipeline," he says.

"I want to build on the work the community beat managers have done in the area and will look to extend the number of police community support officers and give residents a bigger say in how their area is policed."

The 45-year-old says one thing he is looking to change is the way that road policing resources such as speed cameras are deployed.

He believes the way forward is by using on Automatic Number Plate Recognition, a device containing information on the registration numbers of stolen cars, known criminals and tax discs.

"In the division we have one machine but we need more," he says. "Speed cameras have done their job and reduced speed but it is common sense to look at a more intelligent use of them now. I'm interested in serial offenders and people who drive dangerously."