A NEW inspector has taken over Barrow's community policing team - and is aiming to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Damien Mottram has taken over a team responding to the Furness community's crime concerns.

He said in the run-up to Christmas his priorities were to crack down on anti-social behaviour in Barrow town centre, 'supporting a safe night-time economy', as well as improving road safety - with a focus on drink and drug drivers - and tackling residential burglaries.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team's priorities are also set in response to community surveys commissioned every three months.

Explaining his role, the inspector said he was expanding his team with more officers.

He said: "This team is in the process of expanding as a part of Operation Uplift, and therefore one of my core priorities as the new Inspector is in filling Community Beat Officer and Police Community Support Officer roles, as well as for volunteer Special Constables, Police Support Volunteers and Cadet Leaders.

"We are looking for people from all walks of life who might be willing to come forward, either in a paid or volunteer capacity, to help us keep Barrow a safe place for everyone to live and work."

He said during his first month in the role he had been in the Dalton area speaking to residents and trying to identify problem areas.

The inspector was welcomed by councillors in Dalton at a meeting of the town council.

In response to questions about a lack of visible officers on the streets, he said the police were having issues with officer numbers, according to the Dalton Community Action group.