CIVILIAN detention officer Rachel Dawson has played her "get out of jail card" and landed a new job as a police community support officer in Burnley.

Rachel, who worked as a detention officer in the custody suite at Burnley Police Station for the past two years, has now said "so long" to the cells and joined the team policing Briercliffe, Worsthorne and Cliviger.

The 23-year-old, who has also worked as a sales administrator, will replace community support officer Dave Johnson who has moved on to a new area.

She will patrol alongside community beat managers PC Ian Thompson and PC Glynn Grey as well as a team of neighbourhood response officers.

Her role will be to help reduce crime levels and to provide a reassuring police presence for residents.

She said: "I want to be a friendly face out on the beat, someone that both young and old feel comfortable approaching.

"Having worked at Burnley for the past two years I already know many of the officers patrolling the area so I am now looking forward to working alongside them to help keep the local community safe.

"Of course, I also know who's visited custody in the past and I will be doing my best to ensure that they stay out of trouble."

Rachel, who lives in Pendle, enjoys running, visiting the gym and taking part in sports, when she is not working.

Residents can find out who their local officers at www.lancashire.police.uk