THE debacle on the Anchor estate in Darwen, which residents claim is being 'torn apart by tenage yobs' (LET, September 8), illustrates the situation on our estates and where Jack Straw and the estate councillors have failed.

Mr Straw has had it within his power for two years to expand the Conservative-introduced system of warden patrols for estates. He has failed to do so and should resign as Home Secretary.

Former nurse Brenda Cloughlin is right when she made a passionate plea for action to rid the area of drug abuse and juvenile crime. So was Linda MacDonald, who demanded that something needs to be done.

We have sent a letter to Mr Straw demanding warden patrols for our estates, but their ward councillor would not join our call.

More police would be the perfect answer, but under Jack Straw, the number of police has fallen by 1,000 overall and the Lancashire force is short-funded by £3.5 million.

What a shocking indictment of our MP and Home Secretary. He should resign immediately.

JOHN WILLIAMS, Deputy Leader, Conservative Group, Blackburn with Darwen Council.

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