DISORDER offences in Lancashire have increased by 10 per cent, giving the lie to Tory claims that people feel safer, Blackburn MP Jack Straw has claimed.

The Shadow Home Secretary said the sharp increase in these offences meant that people felt more at risk, despite a recent dip in overall crime figures.

He revealed that in 1994/95 there were 102,918 incidents of disorder in Lancashire, up from 93,595 the previous year. The increase was slightly below the national average rise of 12 per cent.

Releasing a Labour report "Tackling Disorder, Crime and Insecurity," Mr Straw said: "These figures give the lie to complacent claims from government ministers that the small recent reductions in the recorded crime figures (from record highs) mean that people now feel safer. They do not. "Much of the behaviour which heightens people's fear of crime comes not within the category of specific recorded crimes but within this category of 'disorder.'

"Anti-social behaviour by neighbours, incivility and loutishness in town centres is rarely reflected in the recorded crime figures, yet it can be hugely damaging to the quality of people's lives.

"It can lead to people boycotting town centres and becoming prisoners in their own homes." Mr Straw praised Labour councils which were tackling the problem, including Manchester, which has taken "swift and effective action" to deal with anti-social neighbours.

Mr Straw promised tough new powers under Labour for local authorities and police to tackle anti-social neighbours and added: "We also need effective policies to tackle the underlying causes of disorder, with policies on homelessness, youth unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse and in respect of the mentally ill."

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