LANCASHIRE police are leading the nation as they bid to clampdown on sex pests in Blackpool and the Fylde.

The campaign is part of a county-wide effort to curb offenders which has seen the constabulary obtain 12 Sex Offender Orders -- five more than any other force.

And now other forces are looking to Lancashire to see how it is done.

"A lot of forces are looking at the way we have dealt with this and how effective we are," said Detective Superintendent Gary Stephenson.

He said they were staying vigilant about people who could be a threat and will take out Sex Offender Orders where necessary. "If they breach the order they are looking to go to prison for five years so it is a deterrant."

He said they had invested heavily in the project with the probation service and were leading the country.

"But there is no room for complacency and we are constantly looking to improve."

The orders cover convicted rapists, paedophiles and sex pests and place restrictions on offenders, such as banning them from entering children's playgrounds or visiting swimming baths.

"We have banned them from schools, or where children are and areas where victims live," said DS Stephenson. " We use police surveillance to make sure they are obeying the order. We are very happy with the orders and will continue to use them."

He hoped that the public would be reassured the public were taking action.