TWO councillors and an MP are calling for the police presence to be stepped up in a rural borough and its central market town.

Ribble Valley Council leader Ken Hind and his wife Sue, who represents Edisford, spoke out in the wake of this month's ram raid at Spar in her ward on the outskirts of Clitheroe by a stolen JCB.

They have called for the reopening of the front counter at the town's police station and more police patrols.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans is to meet Chief Constable Andy Rhodes to discuss the borough crime rate.

Cllr Mrs Hind, who is lobbying the borough to extend its CCTV system, said: "Conservative research shows recorded crime in the Ribble Valley over the last year increased by 31.5 per cent, almost twice the Lancashire average. Edisford is one of the hotspots.

“The progressive withdrawal of rural policing and the closure of the front desk in Clitheroe have not helped a police force whose budget is being cut.

"More frequent police patrols along Edisford Road would deter potential criminal activity."

Her husband said: "We are deeply concerned about the closure of front desk at Clitheroe police station and officers being called from Blackburn and Colne to deal with crime on our streets.

"The lack of resources is partly caused by a deliberate retreat from rural policing by Police and Crime Commissioner Mr Grunshaw.

"We all recognise that police resources have been reduced but the issue is how and where they are spent. I have offered him support to lobby the Home Office to change the formula which calculates funding for the Lancashire's police."

Inspector Andy Winter said: “The local officers patrolling the Ribble Valley are supported by patrols who come from elsewhere in the division and there is a policing model which ensures that there is coverage across the Ribble Valley. When this incident was reported patrols arrived within a few minutes.”

Mr Grunshaw said: "I am pleased the two councillors agree that after eight years of austerity, policing needs investment and welcome their support. I and the Chief Constable are committed to tackling rural crime with the ever reducing resources available. Clitheroe station remains operational and the closure of the front counter service does not change how the area is policed."