ROSSENDALE has become a safer place for revellers with crime rates in pubs and clubs falling, police said today.

Police, pub landlords and council chiefs have been working together to cut crime rates in the Valley's licensed premises.

Latest statistics from Rossendale's Crime and Disorder Partnership reveal crime has fallen by 17 per cent over the past year -- falling from 139 incidents to 115.

A combination of high-visibility policing, special operations to fend off trouble and teamwork between the police, licensed premises and the local authority are all helping the crimefight against louts, officers said.

Officials in the borough are celebrating the news - as the overall crime level in Lancashire has risen by over seven per cent because of new ways in which crimes are recorded.

Inspector David Shepherd, geographic policing inspector, said: "The police and the streetscene unit of Rossendale Council, acting together, are a good partnership.

But with the added value of the responsible licensed trade supporting us and police community beat managers monitoring alcohol related crime in their own areas, we can make a real difference to the public safety of the Valley."

Craig Fairbrother, licensing manager for the council, who also chairs the Violent Crime Theme Group under the Crime and Disorder Partnership, added: "Licensing law is changing for the better and everyone will benefit.

"We now have better opportunities to allow reasonable people to enjoy their leisure time, how and when they want, without the fear of violence.

"This reduction in violent crime is possible because of intelligence led enforcement and our new powers to openly target problem premises."