VIOLENT crime and shoplifting in Accrington doubled over the Christmas period compared to last year, it has been revealed.

The huge rise was despite a police operation to crack down on pre-Christmas crime.

But police - who were reluctant to release figures for the rest of East Lancashire - today said the rise was only down to a new way of recording statistics.

Superintendent Warren Turner said: "The number of people subjected to violent crime hasn't risen, it's just that a greater number of crimes are categorised as violent crime, such as threatening behaviour."

Other crimes such as burglaries and thefts from cars had decreased, he added.

But Accrington's damning figures follow two years of decreases in crime in the town over the festive period.

This Christmas Operation Ebenezer, which was in force from December 13 to Christmas Day, targeted a hit list of 20 known offenders.

Most of them were shoplifters and officers involved were hoping to prevent offences.

During the operation there were 24 incidents of violent crime - up from 13 last year; and 34 shoplifting offences - twice last year's figures, of which 28 have been detected.

Overall crime figures rose only slightly from 107 last year to 108 this year.

Sergeant Mark Porter, head of Accrington police's town centre team, said he was disappointed - although most of the crimes had been detected.

"This year, though we have doubled the crime figures, we have had a lot more detections. We have had a lot more officers out working on the street when people are more likely to see them. I just feel people are reporting more incidents to them."

Several of the shoplifting incidents were attributed to two culprits.

He added: "People shouldn't be unduly concerned. They must remember we had a dramatic decrease last year. It's always been my primary objective to prevent incidents rather than detect them but if we don't prevent them at least we can detect them.

"I put it down to more people reporting crimes than before. We will continue to work with partners within the town, like licensees and not become complacent over what we have achieved in the past."

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "Obviously we are disappointed with these figures. I know Sgt Porter and his team are extremely vigilant. In fairness more people have been involved in this and there were far more opportunities available for people to report crimes."

Phil Bond, president of Hyndburn Chamber of Trade, said: "I'm surprised because there was a noticable increase in police activity over Christmas. There was a lot more presence."