TARGETS for reducing crime in Lancashire have been welcomed by Hyndburn MP Greg Pope.

Local targets for reducing car crime, domestic burglary and robbery are to be set from next April.

Mr Pope said: "At the election I promised Labour would be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime. I warmly welcome the publication of the Government's national Crime Reduction Strategy, the most comprehensive of its kind ever produced, which shows how Labour is taking forward that agenda.

"With Labour, there is less crime and more criminals are being brought to book. Crime has fallen by 14.1 per cent in Lancashire police force area since we came to power. Domestic burglary is down 27.2 per cent and vehicle crime by 17.4 per cent."

He added: "By getting people off welfare and into work, supporting families, improving education and housing and investing in our communities, Labour is also focusing on the factors which lead to crime in the first place.

"There is still much work to be done. But Labour is putting in place the foundations to produce a long-term reduction in crime and we are well on the way to delivering on our key pledge to the British people on youth crime.

"Only Labour can be trusted to be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime."

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