A PLEDGE to invest in neighbourhood policing should be welcomed, according to Bolton's police and crime commissioner.

Labour has announced that it will protect the jobs of Bolton officers and axe the town's police and crime commissioner if the party wins power in May.

Tony Lloyd, whose position will be scrapped under a Labour government to help fund the £800 million plan, is pleading for all parties to avoid further cuts.

Bolton currently has three neighbourhood teams — Central, North and South — but further government cuts could see them reduced to two.

By comparison, Wigan and Bury have just two neighbourhood teams.

But Ch Supt Shaun Donnellan Bolton's most senior police officer, has stated his commitment to protecting all three teams.

Labour's policing strategy would seem to offer further reassurance to officers in Bolton, should they secure a place in government.

Mr Lloyd said: "I welcome any proposals to invest in neighbourhood policing.

"We have already lost thousands of police officers from the streets of Greater Manchester, and crime is now on the rise.

"If these cuts continue Greater Manchester Police will not be able to maintain its service to the public.

“My pleas to all parties on behalf of local people, is do not put communities at risk by cutting police services."

Ch Supt Donnellan added: "If anything is done with neighbourhood teams it won't be anything to do with the cuts.

"It will be down to a local decision. There are three in Bolton and two in Wigan currently. That is a separate conversation from the cuts.

"I will champion neighbourhood policing for as long as I'm in office because I think it delivers better service to people."