RESIDENTS in a troubled-part of Burnley are at the end of their tether after suffering years of drug-related crime.

Burglaries, theft, damage and nuisance offences had shattered the confidence of decent folk, one resident claimed.

The remarks were made at the launch of a Safer Cities initiative in an area which now has the highest crime rate in Burnley.

The scheme follows the success of the Burnley Wood anti-burglary project which saw a dramatic 24 per cent drop in burglaries.

One resident of the Coal Clough Lane area for 16 years told them their work would be cut out in restoring public confidence.

She said: "We are depressed, despondent and at the end of our tether.''

The woman, who is not being named, added: "There is a total loss of confidence among decent folk. Much of the crime is drug-related and that is the problem which should be targeted.'' Representatives from organisations combining to fight crime in SW Burnley - which covers the Stoops and Hargher Clough estates - took part in the launch at Coal Clough Coaching House.

Burnley Council, the police, Youth and Community Service, residents groups and South West Burnley Community Enterprise Ltd are taking part. They will work with young people, post-coding property, loaning mobile phones to protect witnesses, drugs education work, and strategic work to plan crime reduction.

Calling for volunteers to help fight crime, Supt Mike Griffin said burglaries in the area were five times higher than the average for Lancashire with one in six houses burgled.

Throughout Burnley house burglaries were up by ten per cent running at 2,500 a year but in Burnley Wood the figure was down by nearly a quarter.

Burnley was to get ten more constables and another inspector with four public enquiry assistants at Padiham releasing more officers for patrol duty.

Supt Griffin attacked crown court judges for the lenient sentencing of persistent house burglars.

The launch event was also addressed by Burnley Council leader Kath Reade, chairman of Safer Cities, Gill Murphy from sponsors Direct Line Insurance, Mike Waite, from Burnley Council's Community development Section, who announced the appointment of two play workers and opening of play facilities for 8-11 year-olds and Philip Hume of the Targeted Services Partnership.

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