FINGERPRINTING in the area is being hailed as a success after it led to more offences being detected and less people being able to give police false details.

The Government's recent report on penalty notices for disorder shows more than 400 penalty notices have been issued on Lancashire's streets since the kit was introduced in April 2004 with each person providing a single digit fingerprint.

The police say it has saved people being arrested and kept operational police on the streets and out of custody offices.

Inspector John Clucas developed the kit to stop people giving false details when stopped in the street and also to help free up time for police officers to conduct more important policing duties.

He says: "Lancashire Constabulary is the first force in England to introduce the system which is quick and easy to use. We will be able to detect more offences and identify anyone who gives false details, provided they are already on record."

Officers use the street kit when dealing with offences where penalty notices for disorder and motoring fixed penalty tickets have been issued.

It is also used when granting "street bail" where an arrested person is immediately given bail to attend a police station.