A SERIES of tough targets has been set for police officers across Lancashire by Chief Constable Pauline Clare.

The new targets are spelled out in the corporate strategy, an annual document published by Mrs Clare.

She says her main aim is to ensure people living in the county feel safe, involved and reassured.

The mission statement has not been changed for two years but a series of public consultations has been carried out to look at the best ways of achieving the Chief Constable's ambitions.

New targets include a cut of six per cent in overall crime rates.

The police are also aiming to reduce disorder and anti-social behaviour by five per cent and road accidents by the same amount.

A series of public opinion surveys will also be carried out this year to asses how people see the constabulary.

People will be asked for their views on confidence in the service provided, how calls are handled, how victims of crime are dealt with and how public disorder and vehicle collisions are treated.

Mrs Clare said: "We are setting ourselves a tough challenge and we hope that we can reach these targets, or at least move substantially towards them, between now and the end of March.

"We know that these are the issues that are most important to the people of Lancashire and every member of staff is being asked to focus on these priorities."

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