FEWER crimes are being committed in the county, according to Lancashire Police.

Chief Constable Steve Finnigan highlighted the progress of efforts to reduce crime at a presentation to members of the Lancashire Police Authority.

The Chief Constable said house burglaries had gone down by 11.8 percent, vehicle crime is at its lowest for 20 years at a reduction of 21 percent, criminal damage was down by 17 percent, which equates to 4, 432 fewer crimes, robberies have reduced by 6.5 percent and all violent crime is 8.5 percent down on last year The police crime detection rate currently stands at 34.9% for the year to date.

The figures exceeded the targets set by the authority for 2006 to 2007.

Chair of the Police Authority, Coun Malcolm Doherty, said: "As policing becomes ever more challenging, it's pleasing to see that Lancashire Constabulary continues to perform so well."

Mr Finnigan added: "Lancashire's success is attributable to the hard work and dedication of Constabulary officers and staff who consistently rise to the challenge to continue to deliver excellent services and make improvements year on year.

" Our people are enthusiastic, optimistic, committed and professional and I would like to thank them all for their contributions in 2007."