EAST Lancashire MPs have welcomed new crime statistics which show Lancashire Constabulary is meeting targets.

The Home Office figures compare Lancashire with similar forces Cheshire, Hampshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and South Wales.

The statistics show the county is about average.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope and Burnley's Peter Pike said they were satisfied with the result but believed the force could do better.

Burglaries were higher in Lancashire than the five other forces but vehicle crime statistics were lower.

The number of robberies was slightly higher and Lancashire detects an average of 25 per cent of offences, while the percentage of offenders convicted was one point below the 23 per cent average.

The number of drug dealers supplying Class A substances was also higher than average in Lancashire.

The number of residents worried about burglary, car crime and disorder was below the average and those worried about violence just one per cent above elsewhere.

The number of residents who thought the police did a good job was roughly equal to the other five forces and the number of police and civilian staff taking days off for sickness and other reasons was just a couple of points below the average.

Mr Pope said: "I am pleased that Lancashire have done so well. I think they can improve things. I know from talking to the chief constable, Paul Stephenson, and to local police chiefs that things are even better in Hyndburn and I am confident that things can improve. Burnley MP Mr Pike said: "I am very pleased that we have hit the average but I think we can do better.

"I know that Paul Stephenson and local commanders are looking at means for improving the success rate.

"He has got some very radical ideas about targeting the known criminals who cause the majority of the problems and I am confident that things will improve."