CRIME rates in East Lancashire towns have been slashed over the last year, a police chief has revealed.

Superintendent Russ Weaver told a police and community forum in Great Harwood that all types of crime had been cut by 8.6 per cent from last April to March in the eastern division, which includes Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

Mr Weaver described the reduction as "quite phenomenal" and added that the division had the best record in the country for responding to emergency calls.

Other figures revealed showed that:

All categories of disorderly behaviour had been reduced by 8.6 per cent.

There were 19.4 per cent fewer road casualties.

Vehicle crime was down four per cent. Violent crime was down 14 per cent.

House burglaries were down 15 per cent.

Mr Weaver added: "Things have improved remarkably over the years and are moving in the right direction."

The division was recognised as the best in the country in terms of answering emergency calls. He said: "We are answering 97 per cent of 999 calls within the 10 second target.

"We are recognised as setting the highest standards in the country for 999 calls.

"Calls which we categorise as needing an officer in an emergency get 98 per cent within our 15 minute target, which is very high.

"We are fairly happy with that because most forces have a lower standard."