SHOPPERS and cinema goers are to be swiped with metal detectors in a Christmas crime crackdown on weapons.

Police said their action in Blackburn this week would entice people into spending their money by reassuring them the town centre was safe.

But the council leader, his opposition counterpart and some traders questioned the scheme, claiming it could actually deter people from visiting Blackburn.

They especially asked why the action was necessary with police insisting there were no problems with weapons in Blackburn.

Teenagers congregating in intimidating groups will be the main - but not exclusive - target in The Mall Shopping Centre where police will use hand detector wands to scan for weapons.

These devices as well as metal detector arches will be deployed at the Vue Cinema.

The action is part of Beatsweep, a week-long crackdown on the town centre which will see the weapon checks, extra patrols, truancy sweeps and checks on suspected rogue traders.

Sergeant Alan Clayton, of the town centre police team, said the town centre was a ‘very safe place to visit’.

He said: "Large groups that hang around together, who are clearly not there to shop, can make it intimidating for other shoppers.

"We want to be encouraging people into the town centre and the work that we are doing throughout the week will help to do that.

“Because it will be busy with people Christmas shopping, it’s a good opportunity to get some of our safety messages out to the public and remind local traders of what they need to do to stay within the law.”

In a statement, the council said that the action would ‘remind people that Blackburn is a great place to shop in the run up to Christmas’.

But council leader Colin Rigby said he was ‘not sure what to make of it’.

He said: “It’s the first time I’ve heard of this scheme.

“It seems an odd thing to be doing.

“I’ve never had any evidence presented to me to suggest shoppers feel unsafe in Blackburn.”

Coun Kate Hollern, leader of the Labour group, said she thought the move would deter shoppers.

She said: I’m all for keeping people safe, but think I would be embarrassed if I were scanned and I think it would deter shoppers from coming in.

“This sort of thing would be more useful at night.”

Razia Anwar who owns The Treatment Room and Tiaras and Tantrums, Railway Road, said the crackdown was a ‘waste of money’.

She said: “I don’t see the point of it. How many people are carrying knives around anyway?

“The money would be better spent on other things that matter such as sorting out thefts from shops.”

A spokesperson for Remix clothing and accessories shop, Railway Road, said “I think being scanned in this way might embarrass people.”

However David Cottam, president of Blackburn Chamber of Trade, welcomed the scheme and said: “It is sending out a message that Blackburn is doing something to make people feel safe, and I hope it will help encourage people to shop here.”

And John Wilding, partner at Grays clothing shop, Penny Street, said: “Anything to make people feel safe while they are shopping is a good thing.

“We have quite a few elderly customers who feel intimidated by people in the town centre.”