LANCASHIRE Constabulary has just recruited their latest ally in the battle to stamp out violent crime -- a 12-year-old schoolgirl!

Laura Gasson, a pupil at Lytham St Annes High School, Worsley Road, won a special police competition to design a poster as part of an initiative to raise awareness of violent crime among 11-16 year olds.

Detective Constable Ian Mather, from the police's newly formed Multi Agency Problem Solving (MAPS) team, organised the competition which is sponsored by computer firm ITM Communications.

DC Mather said the last 12 months had seen an increase in street robberies involving teenagers and a scheme was needed to teach youngsters to be more wary when out and about. He added: "Violent crime has increased by 11 per cent and a major problem is the theft of mobile phones from youths."

The competition invited designs for a poster which outlines problems faced by teenagers regarding violent crime, in particular what property criminals look for and steps that can be taken to reduce the risk. Hundreds of entries were received from pupils in the area, but in the end it was Laura's striking design that impressed the most.

Laura's poster depicts a large stop sign and the message, "Put A Stop To Theft" surrounded by images of a mobile phone, a handbag and money.

Sixty enlarged copies of her poster have been printed and will be displayed in Blackpool Transport buses on secondary school routes. Another 350 smaller posters and 40,000 safety leaflets will also be distributed.

In return for her efforts Laura, pictured here with her design, has won a top-of-the-range PC for her school as well as a framed copy of the poster for herself. She said: "It's brilliant! I'm over the moon that my design has been chosen for the campaign, even though it will be strange to see it on display on the buses!"