Police Authority members have welcomed new figures which show that overall crime in Lancashire is now almost 28% lower than six years ago.
 
The impressive data was revealed by Chief Constable Steve Finnigan during the Authority’s Annual General Meeting yesterday (Wednesday, May 25).
 
In a report presented to Police Authority Members, Mr Finnigan said Lancashire had continued to improve its year-on-year performance, with figures showing all crime fell by 4.5% in 2010/11.
 
Almost every category of crime saw reductions during the past 12 months, including criminal damage (-17.6%), serious acquisitive crime (-5.1%), vehicle crime (-7.6%) and assault with less serious injury (-5.4%). Robbery saw a slight increase of 17 additional offences (+2.5%), and as a result will be a target of the Force.
 
The figures reflect a continuing downward trend which over the past six years has seen all crime plummet by -27.9%, serious acquisitive crime by -38.9%, burglary dwelling by -29.4%, vehicle crime by 43.5% and criminal damage by -48.3%.
 
Despite fewer resources and less funding, communities in Lancashire are safer than ever before. However, Authority Members were warned further financial savings needed to be made over the next four years and there was no guarantee this could not impact on results.

Cllr Malcolm Doherty OBE, Chairman of Lancashire Police Authority, said: “We are very impressed by the advances made by the Constabulary during the past 12 months and it must be said that this year’s performance is especially pleasing considering the challenges we face financially and the way this has affected our pool of resources.
 
“The economic climate has forced us into a position where we must work much harder to maintain the service quality and results we have become accustomed to and minimise the adverse impact of budget pressures.
 
“However, our aspirations have only grown stronger and collectively we are determined to protect vulnerable people and keep the residents of Lancashire safe.”
 
In addition to lower crime rates, satisfaction rates among residents were higher with “actions taken up“, “follow up” and “treatment” up 3.6%, 2.5% and 1.4% respectively. Meanwhile, the percentage of people who are confident with the Constabulary as a whole has risen to 88.1% (+2%).
 
During the past 12 months, the Constabulary exceeded its target of answering 999 calls with 10 seconds, achieving 93.2% against 90%. It also answered 91.3% of non-999 calls within 40 seconds against a target of 90%.