VIOLENT crime is just one of the problems identified in a comprehensive audit of crime figures in the Lancaster district.

Meanwhile the report has also demonstrated a link between crime and deprivation in some of the city's poorest wards.

A consultation process began this week to explore how to tackle problems identified in the area's crime and disorder audit.

The growth of violence and alcohol related crime in the centre of Lancaster is one of the major challenges for the area's community safety partnership.

Ch Supt Stuart Kirby said: "We have seen a rise in violent crime in this area. I think a lot of it is related to alcohol.

"We have got a more affluent population coming into a small area because of the increase in places selling alcohol. We have seen people in the cells from as far away as Sheffield.

"Lancaster has now become what Morecambe was a few years ago -- a place people want to visit for a night out."

Ch Supt Kirby said he believed the violent crimes had now begun to level off as a result of initiatives such as the council's 'Pubwatch' scheme and work with the owners of the city's licensed premises.

The partnership also wants to involve students at the university and St Martin's College and are working with both students' unions.

Students were the victims of a third of violent attacks while a growing number of student houses fell victim to burglaries.

The worst crime figures were found in wards which suffer high levels of child poverty, unemployment and income deprivation.

Cllr Mark Turner, a member of the partnership, represents Poulton ward, which suffers the second highest levels of deprivation in the area. He said the problems in the Poulton area were made worse by the high number of cheap properties for rent, a situation made worse by bad landlords and some bad tenants.

Other difficulties include juvenile nuisance, a particular problem in Carnforth, Harbour, Skerton Central and Skerton East and an increase in burglaries in student properties.

Meanwhile, car crime and, until recently, burglary had shown a downward trend.

The partnership's chair, Dr Ruth Henig, said: "What I think is interesting about this report is the variations between different areas within the district.

"We knew there would be variations, but we didn't realise just how wide they would be. Lancashire is generally a safe district to live in, and this area is safer than average. However, in some areas problems are more serious than in others."

Another observation from the report was that some areas where fear of crime is highest -- in particular, rural areas -- are actually at least risk. Likewise, older people who fear crime more are less likely to be its victims than people in the 18 to 25.

Asked if this would mean new resources would go to urban rather than rural areas, Ch Supt Kirby said: "What I would say is that everybody who lives in this local authority area wants their life to get better."

The immediate challenge for the partnership is to win as much co-operation from the public as possible.

The public is now being asked for its observations, and a strategy for the next three years will be brought forward next April.

Comments on the report, copies of which can be found in local libraries, police stations and both Lancaster and Morecambe town halls can be sent to Michelle Emery (city council community safety officer) or Sgt Phil Coope (police liaison officer) on 01524 582059 or 01524 582177, email memery@lancaster.gov.uk or pcoope@lancaster.gov.uk