AN ex-assistant chief constable from Lancashire is among nine new Crime Reduction Directors to be appointed by the Home Office to tackle crime across the country.

David Smith, who retired from the police service in 1999, will be taking up his North West post in October.

His task will be cutting crime locally, strengthening links with central government and building up working relationships with local authorities, the probation service and health authorities.

David started life in the force as a police cadet in 1964. In April 1995, he was appointed as Lancashire's assistant chief constable and from April 1997 had responsibility for quality assurance, overseeing the Performance Review and Discipline and Complaints functions. From September 1998 until April 1999 he was acting Deputy Chief Constable.

Mr Smith is active in the voluntary sector and, since April 2000, has been chair of the Lancashire Forum of the Prince's Trust.

Announcing the appointment of the directors, Home Office Minister Charles Clarke, said: "The new directors will focus on improving the effectiveness of partnerships by providing relevant guidance and training, identifying and spreading good practice and monitoring crime reduction performance."

He added: "They will also act as a conduit so that the concerns and experiences of the local partnerships can be reflected in national policy-making."

Directors will brief government ministers and senior officials on crime reduction in their region while at the same time updating local partnerships on national policy developments.