COUNTERING terrorism has now become one of the main aims of police in East Lancashire.

The change of focus was revealed after the arrest of two suspected terrorists from the Continuity IRA in the county this week.

But Dr Ruth Henig, chairman of the county's Police Authority, reassured the public that the police's new drive was a precautionary measure.

The overall aim in the 40-page policing plan 2003-2004 is Chief Constable Paul Stephenson's mantra of "being the best."

But a number of objectives have been set to help the force achieve this, including countering terrorism, reassuring the public and focusing on anti-social behaviour, Class A drugs, burglary, street crime, hate crime and vehicle crime.

Earlier this week, two men were arrested and weapons were seized in Morecambe by police investigating the Continuity IRA.

The operation was launched by the Metropolitan Police's anti-terrorism unit and Lancashire Police.

Countering terrorism will involve a greater use of intelligence, keeping a track of terrorists on the move with high-tech number plate reading technology and long-term investigations by the major crime unit.

Dr Henig said: "I believe the public of Lancashire already has one of the best police forces in the country.

"The Police Authority will continue to work with the constabulary on behalf of the people of Lancashire to build on that success and to ensure the continued delivery of high-quality policing services.

"This plan is therefore an important step towards the achievement of the constabulary's ambition.

"Within the annual policing plan, a reference is made to combating terrorism.

"This is not based on any particular case and is simply a matter we need to consider as part of overall police policy.

"This is something all police forces will consider as part of their own plans for the coming year."

The plan also discloses revealing statistics about police in Lancashire.

In the Eastern Division, covering Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, there are 592 full-time officers, with 450 being men and 23 from an ethnic minority. Some 10 officers work part-time, with nine of those being women.

In addition, the division has 43 recruits going through their two-year probation -- 30 of these are men.

There are 56 special constables, with 33 being men.

Full-time support staff are now 246-strong, with 152 being men. A further 42 work part-time.

From Lancashire police's annual cost of £224.7 million, the largest portion (£70.3 million) will be spent on patrols, then £55 million on crime investigation, £30.9 million on pensions, £21.3 million on call handling and £14 million on traffic and road safety.

The plan was drawn-up with help from the public, who were consulted through the authority's OPINION! citizens' panel and at regular committee meetings.