RESIDENTS are being asked to join in the fight against crime in Blackburn and Darwen's parks by using them more

Council bosses have urged people who may have been put off by stories of sometimes horrific crimes in the area's green spots to go out and rediscover them.

Several of the borough's parks, most notably Corporation Park in Blackburn, have become haunts for criminals and are often vandalised.

Coun Kate Hollern, the councillor in charge of parks, said it had led to people not using the parks, even after work to get rid of the criminals.

She said: "In Corporation Park there is now CCTV and plain-clothes police officers patrol most of our parks.

"As soon as one person is arrested, word gets around and the troublemakers start to stay away.

"That is where we are at now and we want people to start using the parks again. That is the best way to stop crime.

"Crimes won't be committed if there are people around."

The council's community and personal overview and scrutiny committee is reviewing the role parks play in the borough.

Ray Grimshaw, from the council's parks department, added: "In Bold Venture Park, Darwen, people complained that one little bit was being used to deal drugs. We removed the trees in the area which opened it up and the problem stopped."

Norma Monks, assistant director of culture, leisure and sport, said: "Our parks are wonderful assets to the borough and it is important people feel they can use them."