RESIDENTS, police and the council are to target the tippers in a New York City style campaign in the Burnley Lane area of Daneshouse, Burnley.

The "broken windows" approach is to be used to help cut crime and disorder as part of an action group campaign.

The group aims to reduce anti-social behaviour, tackle the supply and abuse of drugs, cut burglaries and improve road safety.

The campaign gets under way next week by tackling problems caused by rubbish dumped in the streets and back yards of empty houses.

The group has identified that where rubbish is dumped crime and anti-social behaviour inevitably follows and results in the area becoming run down.

The rubbish is also used to commit acts of damage and arson. Residents are being asked to clear rubbish from near their homes and to report people who dump rubbish in the street.

A mass clean-up day is planned for next month when residents, schoolchildren, voluntary groups, police and council will tackle particular grot spots.

It will be followed by a police and council enforcement campaign. Anyone seen throwing rubbish in the street will be prosecuted.

In New York this type of initiative referred to as the "broken windows" approach helped to significantly slash crime and disorder.

Action group chairman Sylvia Branfit said: "This is just the start. If we ask everyone to help us make the area cleaner, then with the help of police and council, things can only improve."

PC Mark Saunders commented: "If we all work together we can make a difference.

"This is only the start. I would warn people who dump rubbish that we will prosecute where possible but our main aim is to educate and prevent this happening in the first place."

Environment health chief Andrew Morton said they were already working hard in the area and were committed to helping the action group achieve its aims."

Residents in and around Brennand Street, Evelyn Street and Cameron Street who would like to help in the clean-up can get more information on 01282 459926.