HUNDREDS of residents escaped the trauma of burglary last year, thanks to the success of the battle against break-ins.

But the number of victims who sought help in coming to terms with sex offences, robbery and arson was up 50 per cent.

The Blackburn and Darwen Victim Support annual report reveals that 2,555 people were referred to the organisation for help following burglary and theft from dwellings during 1996/97, compared to 3,078 the previous year.

But referrals for rape and other sex offences rose from 24 to 40; the number of robbery victims helped went up from 95 to 155 and arson victims from 47 to 57.

Chairman Peggy Gibson paid tribute to the police and other local organisations, including the government-funded Safer Cities, for helping to tackle burglary.

She said: "At last some results are being noted of the hard work and attention targeted on this traumatic event.

"We must first pay tribute to the police for their pro-active initiatives against the perpetrators. Secondly to those agencies involved in the various crime prevention projects now beginning to have an effect. "New properties in the public and private sector are more secure than ever before and the various projects undertaken by the Safer Cities team have been very successful in preventing offences, minimising re-victimisation and increasing morale of victims."

Victim Support has been involved along with Safer Cities in the Homesafe Scheme, which tackles burglary by fitting new locks on homes and advising about security.

The Blackburn and Darwen Victim Support organisation, which offers a confidential and free service to victims, has been boosted by the arrival of Ismail Makda, an assistant co-ordinator in charge of ethnic liaison.

It and has secured funding to allow him to continue his work for another 12 months.

The training programme for volunteer helpers has been extended to include phone skills, dealing with children, racial issues, compensation and court procedures.

Fund-raising help from Blackburn Police has also helped bolster finances after several years of cash problems.

The report will be presented at the group's annual meeting in the Hornby Lecture Theatre, Blackburn Library, this evening.

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