LOWEST ever rates of sickness across Lancashire Constabulary has increased the number of police officers on Hyndburn streets.

For the year ending 31 March 2008, police officer sickness levels were reported at the equivalent of 7.98 lost working days per officer. When compared to 2003, this means that there are now approximately 50 extra police officers available every day due to these improvements in sickness.

Not only was annual performance the best ever, the downward trend continues, with sickness levels, in April, May and June of this year, lower still.

These reductions increase the number of officers available every day, which means that the police can fulfil their commitment to ensure that their services are visible, accessible, and responsive, to both individual and community needs.

Ashley Judd, Head of Human Resources said: “Lancashire Constabulary is rightly proud of the sustainable improvements it has made in recent years, and the contribution of a motivated workforce, supported by an interventionist approach to the management of attendance.”