LANCASHIRE'S Police Chief Constable was set to join local residents and representatives from voluntary groups in Rossendale to celebrate a unique crime prevention initiative.

Representatives from Groundwork Rossendale and Bacup Pride Community Action group were due to meet Paul Stephenson today at the Pennine Road Estate, Bacup, to celebrate receiving a prestigious award.

Following months of hard work by local voluntary groups, Mettlecote, an area of the estate, is to be presented with the country's very first Secured by Design (SBD) Award for a public open space.

The award is a national initiative to cut crime by design, which has the support of all 43 police forces in England and Wales.

The prestigious accolade is only handed out by police to developments which meet nationally agreed standards of environmental layout and physical security.

A number of housing developments, retail outlets, business premises and car parks in Lancashire already hold the award, but Mettlecote in Bacup is the first public open space to achieve itthe prestigious accolade.

In order to reach the high standards of security required for SBD, Groundwork and Bacup Pride worked closely with crime reduction and architect liaison officer, PC Dave Sykes, of Pennine Police.

PC Sykes said: "The public space was created after a number of houses were demolished in December 2001. Our aim was to create a safe but pleasant area which local people could enjoy with their children.

"The development, which was designed by Landscape Architect Catherine Pearse from Groundwork, was completed only after full consultation with the local community, which we feel will help to create a sense of ownership and concern over the upkeep of the site."

Narrow upright trees were used to aid vision and the feeling of safety. Shrubbery was planted and pruned back to give good visibility and a perception of safety.

Spikey shrubs were used in key areas to aid security, tar spray chip has been used as ground covering to make path surfaces safer and the site also provides seating to give parents somewhere to sit and watch their children.

PC Sykes added: "Reaching the high standards demanded for Secured by Design Status is a fantastic achievement, one which everyone involved should be very proud of.

"Being the first public open space in the country to achieve this award makes it even more special for all concerned."

Catherine Pearse from environmental group Groundwork said: "Mettlecote is one of a number of practical projects we are carrying out as part of a long-term programme of work on the Pennine Road estate.

"These are a mixture of environmental improvements, as well as crime diversion activities with young people, which are delivered through our highly successful Youth Works programme."