Neighbours unite for war on crime

Neighbourhood watches for three adjacent streets in Darwen come into existence this week seven months after a police appeal for volunteers through the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

Officers were concerned about increasing cases of vandalism, burglaries and drug-dealing.

Now, along with councillors, they will attend a meeting at St James' Primary School in St James' Terrace, Darwen, on Wednesday night to give the 120 residents of London Terrace, Newton Street and Perry Street tips to make sure their watches are a success.

Michelle Atkin, a Newton Street resident of almost seven years, is running the watch for her road.

"About 50 per cent of people living in the three streets have said they will be involved in the schemes," she said.

"Something like this has needed to be done for some time. The St James' area set up a watch last year and their problems seem to have displaced to us.

"The biggest problem is teenage nuisance. A lot of teenagers go off school during the day and cause trouble. Then they cause trouble at night too with young lads racing up and down in their cars.

"We have a problem with drugs as well. There was a lot of drug-dealing done from a telephone box nearby until recently.

"The area is going downhill but we want to start improving it again and get it back to what it was.

"We want to get a community spirit back in the area so everyone knows everyone else. This is something that has been lacking in recent years. Everyone complains on their own, but we are stronger as a group."

She said the watches' collective power could also hinder fly-tippers who dump rubbish regularly in their back streets.

She said: "We hope the council will be more responsive when we want to get things done as 120 people will be behind anything we request."

Sgt Neil Wilkinson, of Darwen police, said: "When everyone is looking out for their neighbours, this can help reduce crime in any area.

"The police believe neighbourhood watches are excellent to help beat crime."