RESIDENTS are being asked for their views on crime and disorder in the Valley.

The Community Safety Partnership, made up of representatives from Rossendale Council, police and Lancashire County Council, is carrying out an audit of crime and disorder, which it must do every three years to produce the next strategy for 2005-08.

In the last audit carried out in 2001 the three main issues raised were drugs, criminal damage and domestic burglary.

These formed part of the seven strategic objectives set out by the partnership and projects have since been undertaken to tackle the issues.

Coun Philip Young, chairman of the community safety partnership said: "We need to know what crime and disorder issues affect people and what they think the partnership should be doing to tackle these issues in order to improve the safety and quality of life for the people of Rossendale.

"Once the draft strategy is completed it will be widely circulated for consultation to check that problems have been correctly identified and to ask people's views."

Residents are asked to answer the questions below and return them to the Community Safety Office at the Town Hall, Rawtenstall, by Monday, September 13. All replies are strictly confidential.

What are the three biggest crime and disorder problems in the area where you live?

What do you think the partnership should be doing to tackle these issues?

What area of Rossendale do you live in (ward)?