A NEW initiative aimed at helping the police tackle crime has been launched in the Ribble Valley.

Under new Government legislation, the police, local authorities and community groups have to work together to produce crime audits for their areas.

And Ribble Valley is one of the first areas to have produced the document which will now go out for consultation with community groups.

The audit provides statistics and information on the nature and extent of crime in the Ribble Valley.

Ribble Valley Council chief executive Dave Morris said: "Crime and disorder in its many guises has become a problem which all the relevant agencies in our area can help solve by joint working.

"The purpose of the audit is to inform the public about crime and disorder in the area then listen to what they have to tell us.

"By involving the community in the debate on crime issues we are confident that we can gain a more accurate picture of what is of most concern and how to best target resources."

Superintendent Eddie Walsh said the Ribble Valley was a nice place to live where crime levels were not very high.

"We want to make it an even better place to live by identifying where any problems are and doing something about them.

"We want to target our resources at the right places. This initiative is about communities playing their part in crime prevention. It is not just another talking shop," he said.

The audit document goes out for consultation until November 15 and it is hoped a strategy will be in place by next April.

Copies are available for inspection at the Ribble Valley Council offices in Church Walk, Clitheroe.

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