A new police sergeant has taken charge of the Neighbourhood Policing Team at Accrington.
Sgt John Kennedy, 40, has worked for the Constabulary for 21 years, spending the majority of his career working on the front line in response and Operations Support Unit roles.
He has also worked in Neighbourhood Policing as a Constable and a Sergeant.
Based at Accrington Police Station, Sgt Kennedy will now take charge of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams covering Accrington, Oswaldtwistle, Knuzden, Huncoat, Church and Milnshaw, Central and Springhill, Barnfield, Peel and Woodnook and Baxenden.
He once received a Chief Constable's Commendation for outstanding police work following a high number of arrests.
He said: "I am extremely pleased to be joining the Accrington Neighbourhood Policing Team. We have forged an excellent relationship with many partner agencies over recent years.
"Both police officers and PCSOs have engaged well with our communities, providing a visible presence and reducing incidents of concern to people, particularly anti social behaviour and criminal damage.
"My priorities are to continue to maintain an effective and highly visible uniformed presence in the town and to listen to issues that are of concern to the public, dealing firmly with those who seek to undermine the quality of life for residents of Accrington."
Residents in Huncoat are also to benefit from a new Police Community Support Officer.
PCSO Catherine Ager joins the Neighbourhood Policing Team to work alongside Community Beat Manager PC Paula Birch.
The 32-year-old from Haslingden has worked for the Constabulary for five years in various roles including Public Enquiry Assistant and response support before becoming a PCSO in September 2009.
She said: "I'm delighted to have joined the local Neighbourhood Policing Team. I am looking forward to meeting and working with the community of Huncoat and working alongside the dedicated team here in Accrington."
