RESIDENTS in an East Lancashire borough are being urged to keep safe and secure during the festive season.

Hyndburn Community Safety Partnership has launched its Keep Safe and Secure campaign in a bid to reduce crimes committed over the festive season.

And police based at Accrington have introduced Operation Especial to look at similar problems.

Last December police in the borough received reports on 65 domestic burglaries, 66 vehicle crimes and 17 crimes of thefts from people including robberies.

Now various methods have been introduced to tackle seasonal problems and crime issues specific to particular areas in the borough.

PS Claire Holbrook, co-ordinator of Accrington police, said community wardens were targeting areas where car crime was a problem and leaving leaflets on windscreens to highlight preventative measures.

They, along with police officers, will also keep a look out for vehicles which appear to be at risk and make contact with the owner.

A similar scheme is being operated by Great Harwood police.

In addition to vehicle crimes Operation Especial will utilise community beat managers to target specific problem areas in their zones.

One such problem is the theft of flagstones, particularly in the Thorneyholme Road area where seven addresses made reports to police in November.

A safety and security awareness exhibition will be held in Accrington Arndale Centre between 9.30am and 5pm on Thursday December 19 and Friday December 20..