THE long arm of the law will be reaching for criminals in Darwen – literally.

New community beat officer Mark Edwards stands head and shoulders above his Darwen colleagues.

At 6ft 8ins in his stockinged feet, he cuts an imposing figure of almost 7ft when wearing full kit and helmet patrolling the town centre.

Mark, 31, joined the Darwen Neighbourhood Policing team before Christmas.

He has spent five and a half years as a response officer in Blackburn and Accrington, and is expected to stay in his new role in Darwen until March.

He said: “I think I’ve made quite a big impact since starting!

“Everybody comes up to me and the first question they ask is how tall I am.

“I don’t mind really, because it has a positive effect of everyone knowing I’m about and knowing I’m open and approachable.”

Mark said he 'just about' fit into police uniform, and apart from being seen immediately, there were no operational benefits to being so tall.

Coun Brenda Cronshaw said: “It’s very reassuring to have a policeman of this size patrolling the town centre.

“He is a big asset to Darwen and the neighbourhood policing team who do a wonderful job.”