A COMBINATION of tried and tested methods and pioneering techniques have led to plummeting crime figures in East Lancashire, police claim.

Latest figures revealed there were 2,625 fewer crimes reported in Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, between October 2008 and September 2009 compared to the previous 12 months, a drop of 11.5 per cent.

In Burnley Pendle and Rossendale, 1,399 fewer crimes were reported, down 6.1 per cent.

But some offences have risen. In Eastern Division, drug offences rose by 21.7 per cent from 725 to 882, and sexual offences from 233 to 236.

Senior officers in both Eastern and Pennine divisions said the broadly positive results were down to ‘hard work’ and vowed to maintain the level of service.

Eastern chief superintendent Bob Eastwood said: “It is really reassuring that fewer people are now becoming victims of crime and we are continuing to detect more crimes than ever.

“So, there is now an even greater chance that if you commit crime, you will be brought to justice.

"The figures are testament to the hard work of all agencies involved in reducing crime and making our neighbourhoods safer.”

Pennine chief Steve Pemberton said: “The challenge now is to continue the good work.

“We are not complacent and will remain committed to keeping our communities safe and improving the quality of life for residents across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

“We will do this by working with the public and partner agencies to prevent crime, by continuing to target criminals and by looking at new ways to reduce offending, like offender management.

"Crime is still very low – it is our aim to keep it that way.”