AS new figures are reported to reveal the biggest rise in offences for a decade, it is evident that every weapon needs to be used in the fight against crime.

And against a background of disturbing surges in offending in police force areas across the country -- with sharp increases in burglaries and street crime in particular being recorded -- it is heartening to see police in East Lancashire employing the latest technology to defeat the criminals.

Officers of Lancashire Constabulary are among members of ten forces taking part in an internet-based scheme that provides them with instant information on the latest policing methods.

Developed by Centrex, the police service's centre for advancing policing excellence, in collaboration with forces and police chiefs nationwide, the system provides officers with the most up-to-date knowledge 'maps,' visual guides and information on the different initiatives being employed across the country to combat street robbery.

With a boom in muggings and other street offences reported to be an alarming aspect of the new figures on crime due out new month, this scheme puts officers in touch with developments at the forefront of the battle to beat the robbers and make the streets safer.

Examples of the information officers can access at the touch of a computer keyboard include witness interview techniques, evidence gathering at crime scenes and collecting and storing DNA samples. In short, the system arms police men and women with an electronic best-practice manual that is never out of date.

And with Lancashire Constabulary already gaining the public's co-operation in the fight against crime by employing e-mail to aid the reporting of crime and by posting mugshot pictures ion the internet to widen the net for 'most wanted' criminals, this latest use of new technology cranks up the fight against crime -- at a time when it is clear every effort is vital.