POLICE and community groups are working together to beat crime on a Blackpool housing estate.

Crime on the Grange Park estate fell by 14 per cent in the period from April to December last year, with domestic burglaries declining by a massive 47 per cent.

Figures just released show non-domestic burglaries fell by 31 per cent in this period and there were also substantial falls in both car crime and violent offences.

The estate has suffered a serious crime problem for many years and police say their success in combating the problem is due to a better working partnership with community groups and other agencies.

Sgt Darryl Schuck, of Blackpool Police, said: "These figures are good news for the people of Grange Park.

"Our success in cutting criminal activity is due in part to intelligence-led policing and the targeting of offenders.

"But we cannot solve the problem on our own. The whole community needs to work together, including residents' associations, shopkeepers, neighbourhood watch and other groups.

"The two ward beat officers, PC Rick Frith and PC Becky Whitehead, have been working very hard with community groups and other key people committed to reducing crime on the estate.

PC Rick Frith, who was runner-up in the 1999 national Community Police Officer of the Year award, added: "This success proves that partnership and targeted policing are the way forward, and this has led to a better quality of life for everyone on the estate."

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