TWO innovative operations have been launched this week to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour on the Grange Park housing estate, Blackpool.

Operation Alliance runs until June 18 and involves around 35 officers, including mounted police and motorcyclists, setting up a mobile police station at various locations on the county's largest housing estate throughout the seven days.

Sergeant Steve Needham from Bispham police, said: "The operation is already proving to be a great success. We have made a number of arrests and have been inundated with questions.

"Our aim really is to make life extremely difficult for those intent on committing crime and spoiling the quality of life for the decent and law abiding members of the estate - I think we're succeeding.

"The response has been very encouraging."

The second project, Grange Park Youth Eagles, is a joint venture from Preston motivational company Advance, Blackpool Youth and Community Service and Lancashire police which aims to steer youngsters away from crime.

Building on the ongoing success of a similar project in Leyland, the six month initiative will focus on giving 16 youths from the estate the motivation, enthusiasm and opportunities to develop a more positive self-image.

Director of Advance, Andrew O'Donoghue, said: "We're going to try and stop all the negative conditioning that's around these children on Grange Park and get them to believe in themselves.

"The kind of results we are expecting for is the youths to get jobs and not resort to crime and I think we can succeed."

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