CRIME continued to fall in the past 12 months, according to new figures from the Home Office British Crime Survey.

Between April 2010 and the end of March 2011, there were 102,503 offences committed in Lancashire.

That represents a five per cent drop and a record low.

Criminal damage, drug offences, fraud, vehicle offences and violence against the person were all down, with some reductions of up to 17 per cent.

However, burglary and robbery were up by two per cent, theft was up by four per cent and sexual offences increased by nine per cent.

The force has to save £42million over the next four years and will lose an estimated 800 officer and police staff posts.

Chief Constable Steve Finnigan said: “These figures clearly demonstrate that, even in these challenging times, our commitment to providing a first class service to the communities of Lancashire is unwavering.

“Reducing crime even further over the coming year will be a challenge.”