CRIMESTOPPERS in Lancashire will be operating in three additional languages to encourage members of the Asian community to report crime to the police.

The new system will give callers the option of using Gujarati, Punjabi and Urdu in addition to English.

Lancashire's Crimestoppers co-ordinator DC Andy Edwards said: "Information received from the community is seen as a valuable asset in reducing, solving and preventing crime in Lancashire.

"The new Asian Crimestoppers line, which uses the same number, 0800 555 111, has been set up to provide a useful link for members of the community who do not speak English.

"This goes some way to ensuring that important information is not lost through language barriers."

Crimestoppers is used by many in Lancashire to report criminal activity to the police and other law enforcement agencies, inculding HM Customs, Trading Standards and Immigration, with the caller remaining anonymous if they choose to be.

Posters and cards in the three languages have been distributed to mosques, temples and gurudwaras across Lancashire publicising the new system.