LANCASHIRE'S police and crime commissioner has celebrated a year in office by hailing his programme of reopening police station front counters.

Conservative Andrew Snowden said it was just one of several achievements which also include recruiting 210 new officers to the force and setting up a dedicated group to tackle anti-social behaviour across the county.

However his Labour predecessor Clive Grunshaw, whom he defeated in an election 12 months ago, said: "I am sure he has had a great year, less so for Lancashire Constabulary and the people of Lancashire.

"The facts speak for themselves, Lancashire has seen significant increases in crime over the past 12 months.

"We are still operating with fewer police officers than when the Conservatives came to power in 2010, and the new investment has been loaded onto the council tax - the worst possible outcome.

"Rather than spin and superhero pictures that Snowden seems to love, how about doing the job properly and bringing crime levels down?"

In the past year front desks at Clitheroe, Leyland and Kirkham have reopened with Waterfoot in Rossendale due to follow suit this summer.

Mr Snowden has promised that every borough in the county will have a cop shop front desk by the end of this year.

In 2017 Darwen, Colne and Barnoldswick also lost their front desks.

Mr Snowden said: "I've initiated the largest investment in the force in living memory.

"There have been some key achievements during my first year in office, not least the re-opening of police stations to the public ensuring that residents have access to a police front counter in every borough of Lancashire.

"I've made tackling anti-social behaviour the top priority.

"Dismantling and disrupting organised crime is another key priority. In response, the Chief Constable has launched Operation Vanquish.

"Arrests involving members of organised crime gangs are up by over 50 per cent and we have taken a more aggressive approach to asset seizures.

"I've invested in the establishment of a specialist rape and serious sexual offences team which sees over 40 new officers joining the force."

He said his investment in new officers and neighbourhood policing teams would make "a real difference" to tackling burglary and robbery.