LANCASHIRE police will try to sweep the county clean of the 'scourge of drugs' if the new Chief Constable has his way.

Top cop Paul Stephenson revealed his plans at a press conference yesterday (Wednesday) where he headlined his hopes to make the constabulary the best in the country.

The new chief also set out his desire to give anything a try if it would help the public. He said: "Let's try it. If it makes things better for my mum and your mum then let's try it. I want us, in this organisation, to seize opportunities. Sometimes we are a bit too risk-averse."

The experienced officer, who has served across Lancashire for more than 25 years, took over the plumb role from former chief constable Pauline Clare two weeks ago.

Originally he advised the public not to look for 'dramatic changes' after he took over, but his latest announcement set out plans for an adventurous police force quick to tackle problems, including drugs.

He described drugs as the "scourge of communities", but admitted the force were not going to be able to wipe out the drug problem completely.

He said: "We have been doing an awful lot in recent months. One of the things which dissolves the glue of society is drugs.

"We are running almost a raid a day in every division, and the results have been quite spectacular. But we are not going to solve the drug problem."

The new boss has stepped into the role in the midst of controversy over the force's proposed community beat managers.

He said: "One of the reasons things don't feel the same as they did when we were kids is because there is less of an authority about now. When I was a kid there seemed to be more people about that could catch me. Even the gas men had a uniform. That did have an effect.

"But this isn't just like the old community beat officers. Beat managers are beyond that. If we put one in place we want to be able to leave them in place.

"I want to see a careful roll out of community beat managers."

With Mr Stephenson in charge, the force's motto of 'Safe, Involved and Reassured' will have an extra element -- ambition. "It will be a more aggressive force," he said.