IN the third part of the Evening Telegraph's investigation into the drinking culture in Blackburn town centre, chief reporter DAVID HIGGERSON found out what the police are doing to keep those in the area safe.

IT was criticised as just another Blair gimmick, a token gesture in response to growing concerns about the level of crime across the country.

But if you step out of line in Blackburn town centre at night, committing what it has become fashionable to describe as 'anti-social behaviour,' then the fixed penalty powers now at the disposal of police are very much a reality.

They are the latest tool to be used by police to try and keep revellers in line when they come out in Blackburn.

And while police say the powers to fine between £40 and £80 for 'minor offences' have been used for incidents in Blackburn town centre at night, they stress people have nothing to fear when they come into the area.

In Blackburn, the perception of residents is often different to the reality, said Sgt Rachel Hanley, the police's town centre sergeant.

She said: "We have done considerable work, in partnership with the council, to reduce levels of violent crime within the town centre.

"The Policing operation on a Friday and Saturday evening consists of a high profile presence involving around 20 officers on foot and mobile patrol.

"The use of penalty notices for disorder is expected to increase as the police adopt a more proactive attitude to disorder, to ensure early intervention."

That means that police may focus attention on Northgate around 11pm, and switch to Darwen Street at around 1am. The combination of take-away outlets and private hire firms makes it a hot-spot for trouble.

But the figures still bear out that you are more likely to be a victim of 'violent crime' in night-time Blackburn than if you were shopping during the day.

Some 63pc of all town centre violent crime happens between 10pm and 2am. And if you're a man aged between 18 and 30, you are more likely to become a victim than anyone else. What's more, almost every incident is alcohol related.

For the police, that has led to adopting a 'prevention is better than cure' approach -- which in turn means working closely with licensees.

That relationship was given more emphasis in December 2002 with the launch of BAR-U. As well as linking around 35 pubs in the town centre to the police -- and CCTV operators -- the scheme also allows identified troublemakers to be banned from all pubs in one fell swoop.

Sgt Hanley added: "The licensed premises have taken a positive stance stating that they will not tolerate any acts of violence or disorderly behaviour in or around their premises.

"Since the launch date more than 30 people have been excluded for anti social or violent behaviour."

But the biggest factor in reducing violent offences has been the street-drinking ban, which prohibited booze being taken out onto the streets -- effectively removing a weapon.