ONE of Pendle's most senior policeman, who has overseen a massive drop in crime, is leaving the area in the new year after being promoted.

And the move will see Chief Insp Richard Debicki return to his home town after he was made Superintendent Operations Manager for Blackpool and Fylde.

He said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Pendle -- I will leave with a heavy heart.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to work in Pendle. There are some excellent officers and staff who have worked really hard."

He added: "Most of all I will miss the communities. I have made some good friends and local people here have got a good relationship with the police."

Since starting in the borough 16 months ago Mr Debicki, 35, has seen a remarkable reduction in crime.

In the past year serious crime such as robbery has gone down 42 per cent, burglary has gone down by 13 per cent and violent crime has been reduced by 24 per cent.

He said: "I am pleased that these reductions have an impact on people's quality of life.

"Pendle is one of the districts which is on target to meet Government targets of violent crime and criminal damage. This is a three-year target which will finish in March 2008 and we have already met the targets for then."

Mr Debicki said this was due to the hard work of both the police force and its partners, including the local authority, in setting up and implementing such successful schemes as the neighbourhood policing teams and the multi agency problem solving team (MAPS).

His new role will involve running the operational policing arrangements across Blackpool and Fylde where he will be responsible for all officers and staff.

Having started his career there as a constable, the father-of-one is relishing the prospect of returning to the resort as operations manager.