STRONG winds are helping power the fight against crime - and saving £12,000 a year.

And lashing waves will also be generating action against unlawful activities as Lancashire police switch on to renewable energy.

For the force's Hutton headquarters is now being powered by wind turbines.

And as a reward for using energy which is less harmful to the environment, the constabulary expects to save £12,000 a year in "greenhouse gas" taxes.

Police are also looking into the possibility of linking up with seaside generators that use waves to create power.

The initiatives form part of the force's green strategy which was launched a year ago and they started taking renewable energy from wind turbines in Cumbria and North Wales in October.

At that time Lancashire was thought to be the first force in the country to take such steps.

It set out aims for protecting the environment, meeting legislation and improving cost effectiveness.

Over the next few years the strategy will become more prominent in day-to-day policing with initiatives such as the use of rain water for washing cars, environmentally-friendly weed and vermin control and staff sharing car journeys.

The commitment to the environment has been revealed in the design of the new police station at Whitebirk.

Its walls are white to reflect light and electrical appliances also ensure no energy is wasted - the heat they emit has been calculated so central heating levels can be kept to a minimum.

Hutton-based Steve Hodkinson, who is in charge of implementing the force's green strategy, said: "It has been difficult to implement and needs a lot of commitment to achieve it. But the police authority, the chief constable and the force are committed to it.

"Energy and water costs can be controlled and the money saved used for other policing services.

"We buy the wind turbine power from the national grid.

"This reduces the amount of coal that has to be burned at power stations to produce the same electricity.

"We are also exploring using wave power. Waves would be collected somewhere like Morecambe Bay to power a motor, which would produce electricity.

"I believe we are leading the way in terms of environmental concerns at our police buildings."