A COMMUNITY policeman has been assigned to the streets where violence erupted during last summer's Burnley riots as the latest bobby on the beat.

PC Richard Collopy will cover the Duke Bar area, where the Duke of York pub was fire bombed during the riots in June.

He will carry out regular foot patrols, liaise with the local community and target suspected criminals.

The move is part of a major project to help people living and working in Burnley feel safer in their own community following the disturbances.

His appointment follows the successful introduction of 23 community beat bobbies across the Pennine Policing Division from Barnoldswick to Bacup.

PC Collopy, 36, joined Lancashire Constabulary three years ago. His spent his first two years in Rawtenstall but for the past 12 months has worked in Burnley.

He said: "I am pleased to be taking up the post of community beat officer and I am looking forward to working with the residents on my beat to help tackle local issues.

"Over the next few weeks, my priority will be to meet as many of those local residents as I can and listen to their views and concerns so that I can start to address local problems."

Burnley East Police Inspector John Clucas said: "We know that the public feel reassured when they see police officers in the area where they live, work or spend leisure time which is why we are keen to put dedicated officers on patrol in certain key area.

"Those areas have been chosen after careful consideration of a number of factors, including the type and quantity of crime and disorder problems.

"We are constantly reviewing our policing response and where possible we will try to deliver a quality of service with our partners that will begin to meet the needs of all communities we serve."