Probe into town drugs scene

It is one of a number of areas to be examined by the group although the man heading the inquiry today refused to be drawn into what connection they believe the riots have with drugs.

Lord Tony Clarke said the drugs scene was to be examined along with:

- The impact of property values on people's lives

- Crime and disorder

- Alleged disproportionate allocations of council funds between areas

Blind man Peter Nicholson gave an emotional account of the recent Burnley riots when he spoke at a public session of the Burnley Task Force last night.

Critical of their description as serious disturbances rather than a riot he told Lord Clarke: "If you are in a wheelchair and you are blind and you are going along the street and smelling burning cars and hearing the riots you feel it is more than a disturbance."

He added: "A disturbance is like your kids walking you up at 5am. These other things were frightening to live amongst."

Mr Nicholson, 55, who lives locally, said that because he was blind and crippled he knew what it was like to be vulnerable.

He had lived in Burnley for 30 years and he had neighbours, including Italians, Bangladeshi and others, who got on very well together in harmony. He added: "Everyone in the community looks after me."

But they found it distressing that before the election leaflets had been pushed through their doors encouraging racism.

He also spoke about the difference in the standard of living between East Lancashire and the South of England and the need for more investment.

In reply to Mr Nicholson and others in the meeting at Daneshouse community centre, Lord Clarke said he had taken the view at an early stage and the events in Burnley were dreadful and criminal.

He said: "I was quite clear they were disturbances and very serious. I hope those responsible will be brought to book. I respect the views of those who feel it should be described as a riot."

More than 50 members of the public from all communities attended the meeting.

Criticism was levelled at many people and organisations, including the media, police, council, political parties and the lack of investment in the town.

Local businessman and property owner Jim Heelan, said he had seen the value of his properties fall over the years through the downgrading of the area. he has suffered a loss of £30-40,000 on his property.

He added: "You feel you have put your heart and soul into the area, but I am giving up and hope to spend my retirement in Majorca.

"There is no hope for the area, although that is an awful thing to say."

He believed it had been policy to allow the area to run down until the alternative remaining was demolition.

Lord Clarke said the question of property values was an issue to be addressed. There was a surplus of 3,500 houses in the Burnley area and that had an impact on property values.

Ijaz Hussain of the Daneshouse and Calder Partnership spoke of the high levels of unemployment especially among the Asian community, poor housing and deprivation.

Young people, whether school leavers or graduates, in order to get jobs had to desert Burnley for the south. "We are losing their skills," he added.

Shamia Shafquat, speaking for local Asian women, said there was a lot of feeling of insecurity, isolation and vulnerability.

"They don't feel safe going out of the house or sending their children out," she added.

She said: "We need to do something for reconciliation in this area. We need to spread the message of harmony and peace."

Lord Clarke revealed today that the role of the media before, during and after the June disturbances is to analysed by an independent group.

There was a proposal for a joint evaluation with the police of the coverage in sections of the media during the time of and immediately after the disturbances.

They were also to commission the independent group to analyse what had appeared in the Press or on radio and television in the three months before the troubles, during those days and since then.