POLICE have hit back after a Blackburn councillor claimed it was unsafe to walk through Darwen at night.

Coun Jim Hirst, who represents Beardwood and Lammack, made the comment to the council licensing committee on Wednesday when the success of Darwen's street-drinking ban was being discussed.

He said that from speaking to people in Darwen, he did not think the ban had solved all the problems on the streets.

He said: "Middle-aged people tell me they will not walk through Darwen at night on their own. It is quite wrong to say that everything is hunky dory."

But both Darwen police and town centre manager Tony Fitzgerald have said they believe the town is no worse than any other and it is people's perceptions which need to change.

Sgt Anne Scott, of Darwen Police, said: "The on-street drinking ban was aimed at drunks and youths gathering at the bus station during the day who were frightening elderly people doing their shopping and mothers with children.

"It was never meant for night time enforcement because violent crime in the town centre which is directly linked with pubs and clubs is relatively low.

"In my view, Darwen town centre is relatively safe in the evenings.

"There are bits of incidents but in comparison to other towns of the same size I think it is a relatively safe place to move about in."

Mr Fitzgerald said a Darwen Town Centre Strategy was currently being drawn up to develop the town centre and ensure it was a safe place to live.

He added: "A lot of work has been done. Darwen is covered by CCTV, there was the drinking ban which worked really well and there are dedicated police resources.

"But it takes quite a while for public perception to catch up.

"Darwen is by no means a 'wild west' place."