LANCASHIRE police is celebrating after being named as the country’s top-performing force for neighbourhood policing.

The constabulary was the only force in the country to be awarded the ‘exceeding the standard’ grading for the category in performance data published by the Home Office.

Lancashire Constabulary was also only one of three found to be ‘exceeding the standard’ for Citizen Focus.

The data found that the force was ‘meeting the standard’ when it came to major crime.

It said Lancashire Constabulary continues to make significant progress in Neighbourhood Policing and said the high levels of victim satisfaction during 2006/07 had been sustained.

The force has also achieved reductions in both acquisitive and violent crime and levels of domestic burglary and vehicle crime are now at their lowest in 35 and 28 years respectively.

l Chief Constable Steve Finnigan said he was ‘delighted’ after a report revealed his officers were among the best in the country.

The performance data, published by the Home Office, reiterates Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabularies assessments earlier this year, which declared the force as ‘exceeding the standard’ in Neighbourhood Policing and Developing Citizen Focus.

Mr Finnigan, said: “This is excellent news for people living in Lancashire who can be assured that they are receiving the best possible service.”