POLICE are appealing to residents in the London Terrace area of Darwen to get involved with a Neighbourhood Watch group in a bid to stamp out crime.

The area has been hit by a wave of break-ins, vandal attacks and damage to cars and property.

In the latest incident the petrol cap of a car was forced and fuel stolen.

Sgt Andrea Bradbury of Darwen police is now urging residents to take action and is asking people to come forward to run Neighbourhood Watch meetings.

So far only seven people have expressed interest in being members and attending meetings.

She said more people were needed if the meetings were to get up and running.

In the past residents have complained that the post box on the road was continually set alight, fireworks were let off and their cars were damaged on a regular basis.

Sgt Bradbury had said the community has had a lot to put up with and that there was 'definitely a drugs problem in the area as well as youth nuisance problems'.

Police patrols had been put on in the area whenever possible.

Anyone wanting to know more about Neighbourhood Watch should contact Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator Carol Hendy at Blackburn police station on 01254 353600.

The Neighbourhood Watch on the St James Estate, which has has been going for around four years, has been a huge success.

St James and Chapels Neighbourhood Watch recently received £1,000 worth of security devices and received a national award for the year 1999-2000.

Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator Sue Freear said: "It's about being part of the community."