RISING gun crime is the only blackspot for Lancashire police in an otherwise successful period of cutting crime.

Every other crime in the county is falling, but gun crime has risen by 13per cent, according to Home Office figures.

In the past year officers were called to 259 incidents involving firearms, up from 225 in the previous 12 months.

However, police reassured residents that the use of guns was still very rare.

The gun crime figures were for a 12-month period, but all the other figures just released were for the quarter July to September 2005.

Violent crime fell by 20per cent, sex offences by 11per cent, robbery by 26per cent, burglary by 7per cent, vehicle crime by 4per cent, and criminal damage by 5per cent.

Overall crime in the county fell by 9per cent, compared to the same period in 2004.

And in every crime category, Lancashire equalled, or beat, the national average.

Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Kirby said: "These figures represent a real achievement and we are working hard to make sure Lancashire continues to be a safe place to live, work, and visit.

"But we are not complacent and, while our results are impressive, we need to remain focused."