IT'S well known that statistics can be produced to prove almost any theory or trend.

And when it comes to measuring crime many people have acquired a cynical attitude towards figures which politicians dangle in front of us to show that government policies are working or not working - depending on which party they belong to.

Today we see police in Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley expressing pride that "targeting of prolific offenders" has led to a reduction in burglaries while their colleagues in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale blame hot summer weather and the release of a number of prolific offenders from jail for a big rise.

At the same time figures which appear to show across-the-board increases in violent crime don't really mean that, we are told.

Changes in reporting procedures apparently mean these figures cannot be compared with last years and next year we will "get a more accurate and true picture."

Supt Warren Turner says: "We don't want to just make Eastern Division a safer place - we want to make the public feel safer too."

That's the key.

And people won't feel secure until we get away from hearing that when crime figures are good they are very, very good and when they are bad - they shouldn't be relied upon because reporting procedures have changed!