‘If you’re not shopping, you’re not stopping’.

That was the message to troublemakers in Blackburn’s main shopping area as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour and crime.

The town centre’s second annual Beatsweep is under way in the run up to the festive period.

Organsied by the Community Safety Partnership and involving agencies such as the town centre police, the council and The Mall security, a high-visibility operation has been out in force.

The Lancashire Telegraph accompanied police and security guards at The Mall as they carried out random searches using ‘wand’ and glove metal detectors to ensure no one was carrying prohibited items.

Groups of reluctant youths were patted down as a ‘condition of entry’ to the shopping centre.

At the same time, environmental officers were targeting fly-tipping hotspots, town centre caretakers were tackling litter and dog fouling, and graffiti removal teams were at work.

Town centre community beat manager Sgt Alan Clayton said one alleyway on the Beatsweep agenda, off King William Street, behind the Bradford and Bingley, was a particular problem, with a known offender arrested for being drunk and disorderly there 16 times since February.

Welcoming the Beatsweep, branch manager Gill Bottomley said her staff were frightened to use the fire exit on to a ‘filthy’ alleyway inhabited by drug-users.

“Anything they can do to make Blackburn a safer and more welcoming place is welcomed,” she said. “We have found needles on the fire escape stairs and there is often rubbish and dangerous things like glass and gas cannisters round there.

“The police do support us, but the fact is it’s an absolute disgrace and this work needs doing.”

Sgt Clayton said: “It’s been well received because people are seeing things being done. There is a higher police presence making Blackburn a safer place.”

Tomorrow, motorists can get tamper-proof number plate screws fitted for free at Vue cinema car park from 10am-2pm.