Ribble Valley Second Safest Place in the UK

As such, the borough continues to be in the country's top five safest places, a position it has maintained for several years.

Government figures have revealed that 15 crimes for every 1,000 residents were recorded in Ribble Valley for 2011/12, the joint-second lowest in the country with Wealden in Sussex, Richmondshire in North Yorkshire and Ryedale, also in North Yorkshire.

The Ribble Valley Community Safety Partnership, a multi-agency organisation led by Ribble Valley Borough Council and Lancashire Constabulary, was tasked with reducing crime in the borough by 13.5 per cent within three years, when it was formed in 1998.

Since then, reported crime in Ribble Valley has reduced by over 35 per cent and the partnership has maintained its position in the top five performing community safety partnerships in the UK, as well as been praised by the Police and Crime Standards Directorate for performing "significantly above its peers."

Ribble Valley councillor Jan Alcock, the partnership's out-going chairman, said: "All the agencies involved in the partnership are to be congratulated for their outstanding commitment to reducing crime in Ribble Valley.

"Thanks to some innovative work on a shoestring budget the partnership has contributed significantly to crime reduction in Ribble Valley over recent years."

Inspector Chris Saville, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: "This is fantastic news for people living and working in the Ribble Valley, and re-affirms the borough as one of the safest places in the UK.

"We work very closely as part of the Ribble Valley Community Safety Partnership to reduce crime and reassure people.

"Although these figures are reassuring, I urge people to not be complacent, but to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police.

"We need the public's help to remain at the top and I appeal to people living in Ribble Valley to keep their houses, garages, sheds and cars locked, and valuables out of view."

The Ribble Valley Community Safety Partnership is responsible for developing a crime and disorder reduction strategy for the borough every three years outlining key priorities and a plan of action.

Its successful projects include one-to-one mentoring with young people, Friday night sports and football leagues, and training for public house door staff, as well as on-going campaigns tackling under-age drinking and domestic violence.