TWO assaults over the festive season have once again raised the issue of violence and the success of the authorities in tackling the problem.

Despite police assurances that Blackburn town centre is a safer place to be than it was five years ago, the public perception is of an increasingly violent society where crime and the fear of crime top the list of many people's concerns.

Chris Faller, 35, was returning home after a day out celebrating with friends when he was viciously glassed in the head outside Blackburn's Morrison's store in high Street. He suffered extensive cuts to his head, neck and ear and needed 47 stitches.

Doctors at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, where Chris was treated for his injuries, told him one more cut to his head could have killed him.

Chris, of Rothesay Road, Blackburn, is now too scared to leave his house.

He said: "I just won't go out any more -- it's as simple as that. I am too scared to leave my own house and I daren't go into town at all. I am terrified."

Just two days previously, student Lee Davies, 23, suffered serious injuries in an attack just hours after he returned home for Christmas.

Lee, a student at Leeds Metropolitan University, was on his way home after a drink with friends when he was assaulted by a group of youths.

He said: "This is a great welcome back to Blackburn. I've been fine in Leeds and have been home for four hours and this happens.

"This has really annoyed me, I won't walk home any more -- I will get a taxi instead."

Following a bottle attack while on holiday in Corfu, Brennan Clemance, of Surrey Road, Blackburn, said he is still nervous of going out in Blackburn.

He said: "The attack ruined my life for a while and it has taken a lot to get over it. I am still nervous when I go out and I don't think that will ever change."

And mum Linda said places like Blackburn are worryingly violent. She added: "For parents both Blackburn and Accrington are worrying places for their youngsters to go.

"They both have bad reputations even though we know them so well.

"People seem to think they can get away with anything. If we stamped down on yobbish actions, people wouldn't get to the stage where they think it perfectly acceptable to glass people in the face."

Latest figures available showed a rise in violent crime of almost 31 in Lancashire's Constabulary's Eastern Division, which covers Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley -- although police stressed much of this rise was due to a change in the way they now record crime.

The view from the pub trade also suggests violence remains a problem in the town. Spokesman for the Licensed Victuallers Association Geoff Sutcliffe, who runs the Rising Sun in Wilpshire, said violence had increased in the last ten years mainly because of the increase in the number of bars with late licences.

He said: "We need to work together with police to make sure the town centre is as safe as possible."

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