POLICE and council bosses have vowed to crackdown on binge drinking and yob behaviour to tackle soaring levels of alcohol-related violence in Rossendale.

And Nigel Adams, Rossendale's prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for the next General Election, has raised concerns after Home Office figures revealed shocking statistics.

They showed that the number of offences of violence against people across the Valley soared by 187 per cent since 1999, up from 402 to 1,152, with alcohol a key cause.

But police today hit back and said they were doing all they could to help alleviate the problem and blamed the increase on the new way figures were being recorded.

As part of a new operation, officers have been carrying out test purchases in local off-licences with extra patrols being brought into town centres to tackle drunk and disorderly behaviour.

The police CCTV van is also being called to film known troublespots so that officers can identify and arrest offenders.

Nigel Adams said: "I am all in favour of people having a good time out. But in Rossendale we are creating not a cafe culture but a yob culture.

"The right to have a drink brings with it a responsibility - the responsibility not to ruin everyone else's evening.

"I have lost count of the times that hard-working, law-abiding couples have told me they feel intimidated by the growing levels of yob behaviour."

In Haslingden, Rossendale Council is considering introducing an alcohol control zone to follow in the footsteps of the successful scheme set up in Rawtenstall earlier this year.

Speaking about the initiative, Rawtenstall Inspector Caroline Edwards said: "While most categories of crime, including burglary and vehicle crime are on the decrease, violent crime appears to be rising.

"The way we record figures has changed, so that now even a push or a shove is recorded as a violent crime.

"Thankfully, the numbers here in the Valley are very small but even so, just one crime is one too many.

"That is why we are increasing patrols in our town centres at peak times and pledging to take firm action against offenders."

Nigel Adams added: "Binge drinking and under-age drinking has a direct link to soaring levels of violent crime.

"It's no wonder that violent attacks across Rossendale have soared by 187 per cent since 1999.

"This is not just due to statistical manipulation.

"The face of the Valley has changed.

"It is time to reclaim our streets and make them safer for everyone at night.