AN organisation set up to curb levels of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour across Rossendale is asking for the views of residents.

Rossendale Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership is enlisting the help of people in the valley to draw up a strategy for reducing crime.

The council-run body is required to produce a crime fighting strategy every three years.

The next one will come in to force from April and run until 2008.

To prepare for the new action plan, a full audit of current crime and disorder issues within the valley has been conducted.

These findings will help to formulate the strategy and Councillor Philip Young, chairman of the partnership, called on people to have their say on the issues affecting them.

He said: "This is your opportunity to comment and respond to the findings to enable the partnership to have the greatest impact on crime and disorder in Rossendale over the coming years."

He asked: "Do you agree with the priorities identified? Has anything been missed?"

The strategy will contain a number of objectives and will contain objectives on how to tackle a range of offences including, tackling violent crime, substance abuse, prolific offenders, domestic violence and business crime.

A previous consultation juvenile nuisance, anti-social behaviour and a fear of crime caused by poor street lightning topped the list of residents' concerns.

In response, police put extra bobbies on the beat and used a CCTV van to combat the problems.

Coun Young said there was a good community spirit in Rossendale and people were prepared to work together to create solutions.

He added: "On the whole, people believe Rossendale is a safe place to live, with the majority of its residents being law abiding and prepared to help make a difference."

Copies of the audit can be obtained from the council's website www.rossendale.gov.u

k or by phoning 01706 242339.