VIOLENT crime and burglaries in Lancashire are on the increase, according to the latest police figures.

The worrying statistics were released by the Lancashire Police Authority along with the police service performance indicators.

The figures are compiled annually by the Audit Commission and Government inspectors.

The statistics have revealed that violent crime and burglaries have risen slightly compared to last year while traffic accidents are falling.

Crimes recorded rose from 76 to 78.7 per 1,000 people in the county while violent incidents went up from 3 to 3.6.

But police chiefs added that Lancashire has one of the lowest levels of violent crime in the country.

Out of every 1,000 homes in the county, 34 were burgled in the last 12 months compared to 32 the previous year. Police targets for turn-out times to emergencies fell by two per cent last year but operators answered 93 per cent of all 999 calls within ten seconds.

According to the report there were 6,109 traffic accidents, around 300 fewer than in 1995.

Lancashire chief constable Pauline Clare said: "These performance indicators are important because they help show to us where we can improve and help support our commitment to provide the right kind of service to make Lancashire a safer place."

Ruth Henig, chairman of Lancashire Police Authority, said: "With statistics like these, it is always difficult to show how all the hard work that goes into achieving them and to reflect the pressures faced by the officers and civilians who work for the constabulary.

"It is to their great credit that most of the targets are being met."

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