A NEW Neighbourhood Watch group is due to hold its first meeting after a successful appeal for residents to tackle crime.

Earlier this month, Sgt Andrea Bradbury of Darwen police appealed in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph for people in the London Terrace area to consider forming a Neighbourhood Watch following a spate of incidents including vandalism of cars, fireworks being let off and trouble from teenagers.

At the time, Sgt Bradbury said there were drugs and youth nuisance problems and in November, police executed a drugs warrant on a number of addresses and a substantial amount of drugs were recovered. But only seven people said they were interested in forming a 'watch' group and it looked unlikely it would get off the ground.

However, community safety and crime prevention officer Carol Hendey, based at Blackburn police station, said: "Since the article a lot more interest has been shown and the good news is that residents in nearby Newton Street and Perry Street have also come forward to say they are interested in joining the group - so an extra 140 homes have been targeted.

"We have to have at least 50 per cent of residents interested in attending meetings.

This was not looking very likely but since the article we have had a much better response."

A public meeting to launch the group may be held soon.

Anyone wanting more information about about Neighbourhood Watch should contact Carol Hendey on 01254 353600.