Three of the five most dangerous towns in Lancashire are in the East, new data shows.

Data found by website Crime Rate states Accrington is the most dangerous medium-sized town in Lancashire, and is among the top 10 most dangerous overall out of all 236 Lancashire towns, villages and cities.

Nelson and Darwen also feature in the top five most dangerous medium-sized towns, with the ranking of the towns so high on the list described as "disturbing".

The overall crime rate in Accrington in 2021 was 118 crimes per 1,000 people and for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland as a whole, Accrington is the 27th most dangerous medium-sized town.

The most common crimes in Accrington are violent and sexual offences, with 1,789 offences during 2021, a six per cent increase from 2020's figure.

Accrington's least common crime is bicycle theft, with 15 offences recorded in 2021, but that is still an increase of 47 per cent from 2020.

Speaking about the crime figures, Hyndburn Council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson said: "Of course all data such like that is very disturbing.

"But of course there's more to data and it's about reporting crime, and I'm sure the crime commisioner and the Chief Constable will look at Accrington and will be investing in extra resources, which the police commissoner did broach when he visited the borough and was interviewed on his policing plan by the scrutiny committee.

"Of course we want a firm hand from the police and we want the resources to deal with crime within the borough."

Councillor Mohammad Ayub (Lab, Central Accrington) said: "I'm really surpised by this data because I think Accrington seems alright, I know crime rates are not as good as they can be but they're not 'crime' crime.

"Accrington seems like quite a safe place, I've lived here for almost 30 years, most of my life I have lived here and it seems quite safe and the police are doing a good job.

"My general reaction is we are quite safe in Accrington so I'm quite shocked."

Nelson and Darwen and also amongst the top five most dangerous medium-sized towns in Lancashire.

The overall crime rate in Darwen in 2021 was 99 crimes per 1,000 people, while the overall crime rate in Nelson in 2021 was 92 crimes per 1,000 people

The most common crimes in Darwen are violence and sexual offences, with 1,357 offences during 2021, while Nelson was the worst medium-sized town in all of Lancashire for drugs in November 2021.