BIG brother is watching you - and winning the battle against boozed-up thugs.

That's the message from the Lancaster Community Safety Partnership as incidents of violent crime around Lancaster and Morecambe fall.

Extra CCTV cameras in strategic locations are playing a big part in the cut in crime, along with other initiatives.

The partnership - made up of the district and county councils, police and fire services, probation, health and other bodies - regards the drop in violence as extremely positive news.

But in the week that it was announced that drunken crime and disorder costs UK taxpayers around £23bn a year, it says there will be no resting on laurels.

Recent consultation has suggested some people are frightened of being in the city due to incidents including muggings.

They feel threatened by gangs of people hanging around and drunks.

The Partnership says it has already supported initiatives such as 'Operation Nightowl' to tackle anti-social behaviour and violence as a result of alcohol misuse.

It involves police, community support officers and special constables touring routes away from the city centre late on Friday and Saturday nights with a mobile camera to act as a visible deterrent to anyone intending to commit acts of damage or anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Eileen Blamire, Lancaster city council's cabinet member with the responsibility for community safety, says: "This is just one of the examples of how the Partnership and police are working together for the benefit and safety of residents and to ensure that the streets of the district are safe places to be."

Inspector Phil Coope, of Lancaster police, adds: "Police are working closely with other agencies in order to reduce levels of anti social behaviour and violent crime.

"The majority of people who come into the city centre are there to enjoy themselves, not to cause trouble,and through the work we carry out we aim to nip problems in the bud and set the tone and the standards expected of people enjoying the nightime economy."

* WHAT do you think? Send an e-mail matt.donlan@lancaster.newsquest.co.uk or call 01524-520263.