THE first stage of a huge campaign to clamp down on crime across Lancashire has been completed.

As part of new laws introduced under Jack Straw's crime and disorder act, every borough in Lancashire has had to carry out major audits.

Public consultations were carried out in every borough and statistics on crime figures collated and compared. Local police chiefs have been working closely with local authorities and public organisations on the audits.

And every audit has been used to help draw up a crime strategy tailored to the needs of every borough in the county.

Each area has identified its own problem areas and key priorities along with action plans.

Officials in Blackburn have singled out drug abuse, racism, and the town centre as some of the most pressing problem areas.

While in Burnley burglary, domestic violence and racism have been placed top of the list of priorities.

Hyndburn police chiefs have highlighted drug abuse, young people, the town safety and road safety. The strategies will run for the next three years and the Home Secretary is hoping for huge falls in crime rates.

All the areas plan to have the strategies in place by the end of the year at the latest.

The crime audits and community strategies will be discussed when the community safety and consultation committee meets on Wednesday.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.