PIONEERING moves have long been a hallmark of policing in Lancashire -- with the county force's string of 'firsts,' including the introduction of school road safety lessons, Z-cars, panda cars and personal radios for officers.

But of all the innovative developments that Lancashire Constabulary has employed down the years, surely, the most novel is the latest -- which adds protecting the environment to its role of safeguarding the public.

For, as part of its 'green' strategy, launched a year ago, the county police are now tapping into renewable sources of energy and using electricity generated by wind turbines in Cumbria and North Wales to power the force's Hutton headquarters.

It is a step that not only contributes to the reduction of harmful emissions from power stations burning fossil fuels, but also is expected to save the force £12,000 a year in 'greenhouse gas' taxes -- money that can be ploughed into police resources and the fight against crime.

It is a strategy that also couples improved cost-effectiveness and protection of the environment in other ways -- such as using rainwater for washing cars and choosing environmentally-friendly materials for weed and vermin control and reducing pollution and congestion and costs by staff sharing car journeys.

And the drive is being extended at the force's new Eastern Division headquarters at Whitebirk, Blackburn, whose design and electrical appliances have been selected to ensure no energy is wasted. Now, the constabulary is even exploring harnessing wave power to create more 'clean' energy for its police stations.

As ever, Lancashire's boys in blue are progressive pioneers -- and, as 'greens,' they are bobby dazzlers.