A RADICAL project where police knock on the doors of criminals and offer help has slashed burglaries, it was revealed today.

The figures were released after The Tower Project, seen by some as controversial because it gives unprecedented support to prolific offenders, ended its first year in the Eastern Division, covering Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

Burglary and vehicle crimes, traditionally committed by drug addicts, were both down more than 20 per cent during this time. Burglary fell from 2,223 incidents to 1,763, while vehicle crime dropped from 4,179 to 3,180.

While those reductions are not solely due to the Tower Project, Detective Sergeant Nigel Watson today said the scheme was having a dramatic effect on reducing crime across the division.

The most prolific offenders with drugs habits are identified for the scheme by police intelligence, or agencies such as the prison service. An officer will then approach the offender to get them enrolled. Officers tell them that if they refuse to take part, they will be relentlessly targeted by investigations from other police departments.

But if they enrol, police, with the Lancashire NHS Care Trust and the Criminal Justice Drugs team, will help them find a house, benefits, drug treatment, counselling, training and education.

In addition, anything the Tower Project officers learn during the course of their work is confidential and will not be passed onto other police departments.

Some 40 people have been signed up to the scheme over the past year and police believe the majority are turning away from the cycle of drugs and crime.

DS Watson added: "We are having a dramatic effect on reducing crime. The majority of crime is committed by a minority of offenders funding a drugs habit. If we can get that minority into treatment, then we reduce the number of victims."

The Tower Project was initially piloted in Blackpool and won a prestigious International Community Justice Award 2004 before being extended to the Eastern Division.