TOWNS across the New Forest can look forward to a 60 per cent rise in the number of beat bobbies patrolling the streets.

The head of New Forest police, Supt Paul Colley, has decided to increase the number of beat officers from 26 to 40.

Supt Colley, who succeeded Supt David Ball last year, believes community policing is the way forward.

He said: "Good beat officers are invaluable. They build a relationship with the community they serve and have a long-term interest in solving problems."

Some of the new officers have already started work in Lymington, Totton, New Milton, Hythe, Fordingbridge and Lyndhurst.

Supt Colley added: "I believe we need this traditional approach. Within the Forest there are separate communities, each with their own specific needs.

"Existing officers are being re-deployed, so it's a case of juggling.

"I have to make sure that I have enough officers to respond quickly to some situations, but I also want beat officers, who often act as police enforcers as well as crime detectors.

"Obviously I will closely monitor the new arrangements to ensure the number of emergency response officers and the number of beat officers are adequate."

Forest North councillor David Scott outlined the increase in beat bobbies at last night's meeting of Bramshaw Parish Council.

Supt Colley's decision was welcomed by the council, which has often joined other groups in criticising the lack of visible policing in the Forest.

Cllr Scott added that 96 incidents had been caught on camera since a £1m closed-circuit television system was installed in the summer.

Forty cameras were installed in Lymington, Totton and Lyndhurst in July after the New Forest Community Safety Partnership secured government funding for the project.