A NEW way of policing springs into action this month.

Neighbourhood Policing Units (NPUs), bringing more officers back on to the streets, are being phased in across the country.

Units will have their own investigation teams tackling crimes like burglary and car theft, and will be joined by community action teams (CATs) to look for long term answers to crime in the community.

Chief superintendent Clive Powell, in command of the new northern area covering Warrington and Halton, said: "I have already received very positive comments that at long last the police service is listening to residents.

"The test for us will be in six to 12 months' time when we ask residents if they know their local sergeants, PCs and CSOs.

"My hope is that their answers will be a firm 'yes' because they will be seeing these officers patrolling within their community on a regular basis as part of our new neighbourhood policing units."

In Warrington, there will be four areas - Warrington east, Warrington south, Warrington central and Warrington west - each with its own inspector.

A number of units covering the whole area are also being set up, including the special investigation unit, which will tackle serious incidents such as robbery and rape and the public protection unit, which will deal with domestic violence, child protection and sex offenders.