A COUNCIL has vowed not to let the Ribble Valley become a "soft touch" for travelling criminals after crime figures jumped.

A new audit, compiled from statistics between April 1999 and March 2001, shows an increase in domestic burglary, criminal damage, racially-motivated incidents and violent crime in areas such as Clitheroe, Longridge and Whalley, with travelling criminals blamed for the majority.

But a spokesman for Ribble Valley Borough Council, which provided statistical information for the audit, along with Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire County Council, the Probation Service and East Lancashire Health Authority, said: "We must keep the findings in some kind of perspective, as our current crime levels are less than half the Lancashire average.

"Most of the crime in rural areas appears to have been committed by travelling criminals, who are touring the area targeting farms and isolated houses.

"People living in these areas must be vigilant to help deter and catch these offenders."

He added: "We must not, however, become complacent and make the Ribble Valley a soft touch for travelling criminals, as large conurbations surrounding the Ribble Valley increase their use of CCTV and other crime reduction measures."

The statistics reveal that vehicle damage -- 20 per cent of all crime -- between April 2000 and March 2001 has decreased, with Longridge seeing the most significant reduction.

One reason suggested is the foot and mouth crisis, which has seen many beauty spot car parks -- havens for car crime -- closed.

Although figures for violent crime and drugs offences are relatively low, the number of offences committed has increased, with Clitheroe, Whalley, Billington and Longridge recording the highest figures.

The council spokesman added: "Although there is a very small drug problem in our area, we are keen to ensure that the problem is addressed. To this end, we will put Government crime and disorder anti-drug funding to use in prevention, surveillance and detection."

Juvenile nuisance crimes primarily accounted for 44.3 per cent of all reported disorder offences from April 2000 to March 2001 and a juvenile referral scheme was launched in April 2000 to address repeat incidents.

The audit also shows that although reported racially-motivated incidents over the study period are very low compared to the whole of the police eastern division, the numbers have steadily increased.

Area Inspector Bob Ford said: "The findings of the audit are not just issues for the police.

"We need the support of the local community and feedback from the public to determine whether the audit has or has not included their major concerns.

"We welcome comments and questions from the community so as to plan effective measures for the next three years.

"One such scheme which we hope will have an impact on the local area is CCTV, which we hope will be established in areas such as Clitheroe and Whalley within the next 12 months."

Crime statistics in the area have also been affected through the police pilot scheme of ethical recording, whereby incidents not previously pursued, such as where victims of assaults are unwilling to pursue court action, are now recorded.

The audit is the second to be carried out in the area and follows the guidelines of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Ribble Valley Borough Council is asking for questions and comments on the audit's findings to be submitted by Friday September 14 at the latest.