DETECTIVES today pledged further crackdowns after revealing burglaries were at their lowest level for a decade.

But Detective Inspector Jim Elston also warned against complacency as new figures showed in Lancashire there were around 9,000 break-ins last year - half as many as in 1993.

The most drastic reductions were in Blackburn, down from 704 in 2002 to 551 (22 per cent); Darwen, from 322 to 228 (29 per cent), and Accrington, from 401 to 321 (20 per cent).

In Great Harwood, the number increased from 83 to 85 (two per cent), while in Clitheroe it rose from 116 to 127 (nine per cent).

But overall in the Eastern division, which covers all the towns, burglaries fell from 1,646 to 1,338 (19 per cent).

In December, when there is traditionally more opportunities for burglars , Blackburn and Darwen had their lowest levels for years.

Last month there were 42 burglaries in Blackburn, down from 71 in 2002 and 109 in 2003, and 19 in Darwen, down from 34 in 2002 and 40 in 2001.

Det Insp Elston, of Blackburn CID, put the successes down to the dedicated burglary team, which covers the two towns, better use of intelligence, the targeting of prolific offenders and the return of beat bobbies

He added: "We are not complacent by any means as one burglary is one too many.

"But the fact is the reductions we have achieved means a reduction in the misery and the effects burglary can have.

"While it is true to say victims are affected in different ways, burglaries have a significant impact on people's lives and can live with them for some time.

"If we can reduce the number of burglaries then we can have a positive impact on the community.

"We are on top now. We are far more smarter and because we have reduced the number of burglaries, officers have more time to devote to the individual incidents."

He said the force was aiming for further reductions next year, when it would also focus on improving the detection rate. The Eastern division is hitting its 20 per cent Government target for solving crimes but the force has set a challenging 25 per cent target for next year.

Det Insp Elston also spoke of the benefits of the burglary team. He said: "CID have to provide a service for investigating serious and major crime.

"The burglary team has enabled police to commit more time for observation and surveillance and it is a lot more focused."