RAWTENSTALL'S newest Police Community Support Officer is a chip off the old block.

John Pepper will patrol the town centre and Longholme areas as part of the neighbourhood policing team, but it is not the 21-year-old's first brush with the law - he was brought up his dad, PC Brian Pepper, who used to be a neighbourhood police officer in Barnoldswick.

PCSO Pepper, who completed a BTEC in Public Services at Craven College in Skipton before joining the force, said: "I've always been interested in joining the police which is why I completed the public services course.

"I have also been inspired by my father who is still a serving police officer in the Pennine Division.

"Before joining the police I worked in a gymnasium and had various jobs in the retail market.

"Those jobs provided me with good experience but not the challenges and variety I expect with this one!"

PCSO Pepper, who is from Pendle, will work alongside the local community beat manager, PC Gareth Henderson, and a further five colleagues from the neighbourhood response team, to help combat crime and anti-social behaviour problems.

He will provide a greater police presence and a familiar face for people to approach.

He added: "I'm really looking forward to working with the people on my beat and to address local concerns.

"The reason I joined the job was to help people and that is what I will be doing my utmost to achieve.

"I'll be holding Police and Communities Together meetings soon, so if you have a policing-related problem, then please come along and it share it with me and I'll do my best so assist."

PCSO Pepper's first PACT meetings will be held in the neighbourhood policing van in Rawtenstall on Thursday, November 30, at Rawtenstall Market at 11am and then at Rawtenstall Asda at 2pm.

When he is working, he can be contacted on 07946 553033.