Police take it softly softly!

Despite public calls from readers of The Citizen for more bobbies on the beat to make the streets safer, Det Chief Insp Mick Gradwell said the force's emphasis was on creating partnerships with the town's traders to educate and prevent bad behaviour rather than operate a "zero tolerance" policy.

Our readers have reported witnessing a massive decline in the behaviour of visitors to the town. Disgusting scenes, including gangs of men dropping their trousers and and women lifting their tops, others urinating in the street in full view of children and swearing and drunkenness have all been reported to us in letters from the public.

They also catalogue how tacky souvenirs have become commonplace on the stalls on the now litter-strewn Promenade.

Blackpool-based Mr Gradwell said: "We want the resort to be a decent and prosperous place for everyone. We have to create a balance whereby all types of people can come here and have a good time.

"We are forming very effective partnerships with the town's fast-food traders, licensees, doormen and bar staff. The joint team effort will make Blackpool a better and safer place to be," he said.

"CCTV has proved an effective way of keeping a check on behaviour around the town and we are going to expand this to other areas."

This week Lancashire Constabulary announced that more than 100 new policemen are to be introduced into the force over the next two years, but could not comment on how and where they would be used.

Plans are already under way to improve night time safety by stepping up high-profile police patrols around the tourist areas and installing brighter street lighting. They also intend to make it clear which areas may not be suitable for families after dark.

But at the moment police are concentrating on targeting coaches which arrive at the town's bus stations, handing out leaflets to passengers advising them on how to enjoy their stay safely. The police have set a target of three years in which to improve the town's image.

"The partnership response will work but it will take time. It will not happen overnight. We will do as much as we can to improve the area in partnership with other groups," said Mr Gradwell.

Council leader George Bancroft said he had arranged a meeting with Lancashire's Chief Constable Pauline Clare for early September to discuss the resort's problems and he was also in negotiation with trading standards officers and council officers to deal with complaints of lewd merchandise.

"We are forming very effective partnerships with the town's fast-food traders, licensees, doormen and bar staff. The joint team effort will make Blackpool a better and safer place to be," he said.

"CCTV has proved an effective way of keeping a check on behaviour around the town and we are going to expand this to other areas."

This week Lancashire Constabulary announced that more than 100 new policemen are to be introduced into the force over the next two years, but could not comment on how and where they would be used.

Plans are already under way to improve night time safety by stepping up high-profile police patrols around the tourist areas and installing brighter street lighting. They also intend to make it clear which areas may not be suitable for families after dark.

But at the moment police are concentrating on targeting coaches which arrive at the town's bus stations, handing out leaflets to passengers advising them on how to enjoy their stay safely.

The police have set a target of three years in which to improve the town's image.

"The partnership response will work but it will take time. It will not happen overnight. We will do as much as we can to improve the area in partnership with other groups," said Mr Gradwell.

Council leader George Bancroft said he had arranged a meeting with Lancashire's Chief Constable Pauline Clare for early September to discuss the resort's problems and he was also in negotiation with trading standards officers and council officers to deal with complaints of lewd merchandise.