LANCASHIRE police's new strategy on crime prevention is to be adopted by forces throughout the country.

It has been co-ordinated here on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers and aims to blow away the belief among some officers that crime prevention is not an important part of mainstream policing.

It also stresses the importance of encouraging the public to do more to prevent crime.

The strategy is to be welcomed. Crime prevention certainly is everybody's business in the 1990s.

There are few streets in Britain which have escaped the attentions of the burglar or the vandal.

In some areas police face an avalanche of crime.

Two attacks in East Lancashire in the last few days underline the need for public co-operation.

A man in Accrington had the inside of his home and business trashed by thieves who took everything from £3,000 worth of tools to toilet rolls. They also left messages on the living room walls in bronze paint.

And arsonists caused £40,000 of damage when they set fire to sheds at Rishton cricket club.

These acts were part of a crime wave which is eroding the quality of life in Britain.

But, as with so many other crimes, someone will have a good idea who was responsible.

Such people have a duty to report the culprits.

Lancashire police are right when they say crime prevention is everyone's responsibility. Once the criminals realise there is no hiding place, crime figures will begin to fall.

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