HOME Secretary Jack Straw yesterday paid his first visit to Blackburn police station since his new appointment as head of the country's police force.

It was a low-key affair and Mr Straw, who arrived in a Ford Galaxy people carrier, met staff and chatted with Superintendent Eddie Walsh.

They talked about Blackburn's success in reducing house burglaries and the strategy of "zero tolerance", or tackling crime by clamping down on minor offences - one of Mr Straw's favoured policies.

Mr Straw said: "One of the things we talked about was that Blackburn police has had good success in tackling things like house burglaries.

"What they've been doing is a good example of zero tolerance."

Mr Walsh said the meeting was part of regular discussions which he and Mr Straw hold.

"People still write to Mr Straw as the town's MP and we try to sort out their problems. That doesn't stop because he is Home Secretary.

"Fortunately, we have a long-standing relationship so it's not difficult to adjust to his new role."

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