ROSSENDALE'S new police inspector has vowed to get tough on drug barons and violent criminals in the Valley.

Caroline Edwards stepped into the shoes of former geographic inspector Roger Ravenscroft two months ago and she's ready to tackle the areas biggest problems.

Rawtenstall-based Insp Edwards, 33, has already helped co-ordinate drugs raids in Rossendale which resulted in a number of people being arrested and charged earlier this month.

As police officer for nine and a half years, recently-promoted Insp Edwards, who joined the division after working as a military police officer in the Army, has worked in Leyland, Bamber Bridge, Adlington, Wheelton and Burnley.

She said: "I have had a lot of experience working with people in the community so I know what affects people.

"Drug dealing has a direct impact on other crimes which happen not just in Rossendale but all over the country and I want to crack down on it happening here.

"We haven't got massive problems with drugs but there are the small pockets which we are actively targeting. We rely on the public to supply us with information so we can take action and we hope that people will continue to do so."

The inspector said violent crime is high on her hit list of things to tackle as figures released this week show offences are on the rise in Rossendale.

She added: "We don't want to alarm people but we have had a five percent increase. This is partly to do with the fact that we have changed the way we record this type of crime, so now if a pupil at school is being harassed that will go under this category.

"We have plans to address this by cracking down on night-time disorder by deploying extra patrols on the streets on Friday and Saturday nights.

"This seems to have had a positive effect so far and with the Pub Watch scheme and the alcohol ban in Rawtenstall and hopefully one in Haslingden we can get to grips with the problem."

Insp Edwards went on: "We have seen 102 less houses being broken into in Rossendale during April, May, June and July this year compared to the same period last year. This shows we are on the right track and we hope to ensure that we keep improving."