VIOLENT crime has almost tripled compared to last year, according to the Lancashire Constabulary's annual report.

The report shows a huge rise in acts of violence committed against people - 10,145, compared to 3,706 last year, including wounding with and without intent, child stealing, and assaulting a police constable.

Drug offences also shot up - 3,519 compared to just four last year - but that was put down to a new method for counting offences.

Sexual offences fell, as did burglary and thefts - and police managed to solve a higher ratio of crimes this year, compared to last.

South Ribble was revealed as one of the safest places in the county crime-wise, but anti-social behaviour has created high levels of anxiety among residents, according to the report.

In Preston, 80 per cent of people surveyed felt they were at risk in the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights - despite only six per cent of all recorded crime involving violence.

Chief Constable Pauline Clare said: "The demands placed on my officers and support staff, at all levels in the organisation, have been heavy this year.

"Most have met the challenge head on with commitment and enthusiasm and this, I am sure, has been a significant factor in our achievcements this year.

"For that I am proud and grateful.

"The main aims of our policing plan are to make all our communities feel safe, involved and reassured.

"Our targets this year are to reduce crime by six per cent, disorder and anti-social behaviour by five per cent and road casualties by five per cent.

Each day, Lancashire Constabulary:

receives 7,245 telephone calls;

deals with 324 crimes;

makes 190 arrests;

solves 110 crimes;

attends 16 injury road traffic incidents;

responds to 1,758 incidents;

handles 43 breakdowns on the motorway;

carries out 63 breath tests;

recovers £38,757 of stolen property.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.