CRIMINALS in Burnley are heading for the border as new town centre security puts them on the run, says police chief, Superintendent Mike Griffin.

But neighbouring forces disagree with his claim that Burnley is now exporting crime to other towns as shoplifters flee for easier pickings in other areas.

Surveillance cameras and police-linked radios in local stores have slashed crime by 50 per cent, and both store and car crime have fallen dramatically, Supt Griffin told the borough's policy committee.

"These things are making them move out of town. Our officers have seen known criminals in Preston, Manchester, Liverpool, all over the place, because it is started getting too hot for them in Burnley.

"I know the police commander at Colne is extremely anxious that a security camera system is developed in Pendle."

"Ultimately I think all authorities need to be taking these steps," he added.

Supt Griffin praised the partnership approach with local authorities, health bodies and other agencies, combining with police to combat crime in a special Burnley initiative.

The Burnley Wood anti-burglary campaign had cut break-ins by 24 per cent.

But he took a swipe at magistrates who failed to deal strictly with offenders.

He said: "We arrest more burglars in this town than any other force. "We get an awful lot of support from magistrates, but the problem is, offenders are not being put out of harm's way.

"There is a ludicrous situation where they are out quicker than we can put them in."

Supt Griffin said there was much evidence to show that sentencing in some towns was far less severe than in others.

But Supt Griffin's views on CCTV driving criminals into other towns is disputed by neighbouring police.

A spokesman for Blackburn CID said there did not appear to be a significant rise in the number of out of town criminals operating in the area.

And the chief of Accrington's police does not believe the success of Accrington's CCTV system is driving criminals into neighbouring towns.

Superintendent Malcolm Rawcliffe said overall crime in Accrington town centre had fallen by 50 per cent.

But he added: "There is absolutely no evidence that crime is being dispersed from Accrington."

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