SHOPKEEPERS claim vandals are getting away with attacking their premises - thanks to an "ineffective" CCTV system.

Businesses in Fleming Square, Blackburn town centre, said the nearby camera could be the answer to their problems.

But they branded it "useless", claiming it is usually pointed away from the the square and towards advertising boards in front of the Cathedral Village housing development.

The camera is manually operated by staff at the Greenbank Police Station in Whitebirk and is able to pan around to cover Fleming Square.

Following the complaints, police have pledged that they will pay "additional attention" to Fleming Square.

Eve Lingerie's windows were smashed last weekend and owner Janet Bailey said it was the third time this had happened in six months.

She said: "There is a state-of-the-art roaming digital camera which is supposed to pan down onto our shops every 18 seconds but is just pointing towards the boards.

"We pay our business rates and have a right to be protected by this camera.

"It would act as a deterrent.

"After the latest incident last weekend I had to close for two days losing two days-worth of trade.

"This is the sort of thing that could out small businesses under.

"We are trying to provide a service and trying to make Blackburn a better place by bringing diverse shops here but we don't seem to get any kind of help or support."

Jeff Stone, who owns the hairdresser's next door, and has also been targeted by vandalism, said the shops were being blighted by "hoodie gangs" gathering in the area.

He said: "We need to get to the bottom of why the camera is not rotating so it's monitoring the shops in Fleming Square."

Lisa McNally, owner of Tie The Knott bridal shop, added: "My windows were smashed in June last year and I opened up last weekend to find boot prints all over the windows like they had tried to kick them in.

"The camera needs to be rotating otherwise it's a waste of money."

Inspector Michael Laraway said he had looked into the shopkeepers' complaints.

He said: "The operator confirmed that the camera can tilt and pan, providing coverage of the premises.

"The camera is manually operated and directed.

"We will pay additional attention to this property and speak to the owner to see what other help we can offer in terms of crime prevention."