LANCASHIRE fire brigade has improved its performance over the past year - but Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw has told firefighters they can still do better.

And Mr Straw has told forces all over the country that performance has no link to the amount of money a brigade has to spend.

His comments are sure to spark debate among Lancashire firefighters who have campaigned against the loss of 25 part-time firefighters in the county - 10 in Accrington.

Mr Straw will have the final say on whether the county fire authority's decision to cut costs by losing part-timers should stand.

The authority claims cuts have been made because of a shortage of funding from central government.

The comments follow figures just published by the Audit Commission.

The Home Secretary said: "I am pleased the Audit Commission has found that the fire service remains overall, a high performing one.

"Brigades should seize this opportunity to assess their performance and review current working practices.

"They have a duty to deliver services and protect the public to the highest standards by the most effective, economic and efficient means available. The Audit Commission figures have shown Lancashire Police to be the top force in the country when it comes to responding to incidents.

The force achieved the 15-minute target time in 98 per cent of cases which is a two per cent improvement on last year's figures.

Crime offences in Lancashire per 1,000 people are lower than the national average and violent crimes are also lower than country-wide levels.

Burglary remains a major problem with 25.8 burglaries per 1,000 homes compared to the national average of 20.5.

Superintendent Paul Harry said: "We are reassured that our overall crime figures are below the national average, but obviously we remain concerned about burglary.

"Reducing burglary in dwellings remains a high priority for the force.

"We are very pleased with our response times which must be reassuring to our communities."

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