HIDDEN cameras and high-tech recording equipment are being used to trap racists, drug dealers and nightmare neighbours on Blackburn's estates.

A pioneering scheme was set up earlier this year in secret by the council and Blackburn police with the help of the Lancashire Partnerships Against Crime organisation.

Blackburn with Darwen Crime is leading the field in the fight against "neighbours from hell" and has already introduced a series of pioneering proposals.

The latest project was the brainchild of Blackburn police and has been running for just under six months.

Residents in Blackburn with Darwen have long complained of harassment, racist attacks and in some areas drug dealing in the street.

And town hall chiefs have introduced a string of tough measures aimed at ridding their estates of trouble makers over the last three years.

But police and council chiefs have hit problems trying to gather evidence and people are often too frightened to appear in court.

An increase in police patrols is seen as a short term measure and the authorities are keen to obtain more prosecutions. The Lancashire Partnership Against Crime and the council has come up with the cash to buy hidden cameras which are being tested in the borough's trouble spots.

The scheme is one of several in East Lancashire which has won the backing of the partnership.

A successful scheme set up with the help of the partnership has been running in Hyndburn and uses video cameras in local parks to capture the antics of young vandals on film. Parents are then shown the film in the hope they will stop their children vandalising parks and public places.

Other projects include a drugs referral scheme at Blackburn police station and a scheme designed to help elderly people living in remote parts of the borough.

The partnership aims to increase links between the business community and the police and currently has about 200 companies who have become members.

The organisers are planning a massive campaign in the hope of doubling its membership.

Inspector Jon Donnelly helps run the partnership. He said: "The Lancashire Partnership Against Crime has a proven record of making a real difference to the lives of Lancashire people."

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