BURNLEY'S bid for more police to stamp out lawlessness in the town has been rejected by Lancashire Chief Constable Pauline Clare.

Council bosses called for more officers on the streets following a town-wide wave of protests against vandals, wreckers and louts.

MP Peter Pike wrote to police chiefs and Home Secretary Jack Straw following calls for speedy action from councillors who said extra policing was their top priority - even if it meant raising council taxes.

But a response to the MP from Lancashire Police Authority says Burnley gets its fair share of resources and there are no plans to increase funding.

The letter states cash allocation is based on a national model and adds: "The Chief Constable is satisfied that this objective method of allocating resources is as fair and impartial as can be achieved in matching resources with needs."

But the letter says the police authority would welcome any increase in Government funding - with restrictions this year alone amounting to a £3.5 million budget reduction for Lancashire police.

The matter will be reported to Thursday's meeting of the Police Authority in Preston.

Last month Burnley announced it was to appoint a fast-track officer to lead the fight against crime.

There was criticism of both the council and police as policy committee members said the new officer would improve co-ordinated action against offenders and hit them with new anti-social behaviour orders which carry stiff penalties. Former council leader Kath Reade said the council had been too slow to act.

"The people of this town are crying out for something to be done," she said.

Communities in many areas of Burnley have echoed the call for action.

Residents in Padiham held two major public meetings and a march through town to demand a greater police presence in the wake of a wave of assaults and vandalism.

Councillor Stephen Large said the council needed the tools in its hands before it could tell people it was able to tackle the problem. Council leader Stuart Caddy today expressed "extreme disappointment" at the police authority decision but said the council would continue to pursue the matter.

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