A SPECIAL action group is to be set up in the battle to stop arson in Burnley.

After the riots in June, the Burnley Task Force was set up to look into why the violence began and what could be done to stop future outbreaks. The group, headed by Labour peer Lord Tony Clarke, consulted local people and organisations in an attempt to get to the bottom of what happened.

The final report by the Task Force was publicly unveiled today. But over the six months since the violence, a number of recommendations have already been made.

One of the suggestions made by the Task force was to set up a Community Action Team (CAT) in Burnley to deal with arson.

The new Action Team will be based at Burnley fire station, and run by the Combined Fire Authority -- the organisation responsible for firefighters across the whole of Lancashire.

Part of the CAT is already running, but the organisation is now due to begin its work properly after a meeting of the Combined Fire Authority yesterday.

To do this, the Action Team will work with local organisations, such as environmental health, police and neighbourhood renewal groups. Then the team will operate in five local areas, Stoneyholme, Barclay, Fulledge, Coal Clough and Daneshouse.

County Councillor Bob Wilkinson, chairman of the Combined Fire Authority, said: "We welcome the setting up of this. It's all part of arson reduction. We have been spending a considerable amount of money on arson this year and we are going to spend extra money next year.

"We are trying to drive down accidental fires and arson and this will perform part of that strategy."

Once set up, it is hoped that by making small changes to the selected areas, arson can be stopped. The team will work with local authorities to carry out the action points, which include getting rid of rubbish which could be used to start fires, putting up warning posters and fitting smoke alarms.

Burnley Councillor Charles Bullas, said: "I support it 100 per cent. I am in favour of anything for the safety of the population of Burnley and will give it my full support. If any funding is needed I will try and help them get it."