CHAIRMAN of Lancashire Police Authority, Dr Ruth Henig, has been appointed to the newly established Crime Reduction Task Force.

The group is chaired by Home Office Minister Charles Clarke and its role is to provide a strategic focus and practical guidance to the local community safety partnerships which have been established under the Crime and Disorder Act.

After the Task Force's first meeting Dr Henig said: "This appointment has provided me with a tremendous opportunity to contribute to the drawing up of national guidance and good practice manuals for local partnerships.

"I will also be flagging up to the government the practical day-to-day problems which local partners are facing in their efforts to drive down crime in their areas."