DRUG and alcohol abuse, juvenile nuisance and road accidents are set to come under the spotlight when a crime-busting project kicks off in Hyndburn.

Crime hot spots in Accrington, Huncoat and Rishton will also be targeted in the Crime and Disorder Strategy.

The blueprint will form a framework for police and council chiefs to tackle the causes of offences in an attempt to drive down crime.

The plan has been drawn up by partner agencies which also include Youth Services, East Lancashire Health Authority and the Probation Service.

It follows the Government's Crime and Disorder Act and a massive public consultation exercise carried out by the strategy steering group.

A picture of crime and anti-social behaviour was painted by a borough-wide audit carried out last year.

The study revealed a downward trend in crime totals since 1996, including a 35 per cent drop in car crime, a 31 per cent fall in burglaries and a nine per cent drop in violent offences.

The strategy aims to cut crime by a further six per cent in the current 12 months, in line with Lancashire Police targets.

A spokeswoman for the partnership said: "We want to actively cut crime by introducing measures which will highlight its causes, with close co-operation between the partners and the people of Hyndburn.

"Our simple aim is to build a community where people do not live in fear of crime, so they feel secure in their homes and on the streets."

Six initial problem areas have been identified in the document and action plans are set to be brought into play and monitored over the coming year.

The blueprint aims to tackle drugs and alcohol abuse and associated problems of violence and burglary. Juvenile nuisance in the borough was high up on people's hit list and the plan will also focus on reducing road accidents.

Accrington town centre, Within Grove in Huncoat and Eachill in Rishton are three crime 'hot spots' set to come under the microscope.

Attempts to cut drug abuse will feature a new crackdown on Hyndburn's drug trade and better access to treatment for abusers.

Young people will be offered training schemes and better leisure facilities and parenting skill programmes will be set up.

Town centre problems to be tackled include excessive drinking, poor facilities for young people and shoplifting.

And a young people's surgery and safe haven for victims of domestic violence are planned for Rishton.

The strategy is set to be discussed at a meeting of the council's policy and resources committee tonight when members will consider sending a summary of the plan to households and businesses across the borough.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "It's an important step forward for us to develop a relationship with other agencies to benefit the people of Hyndburn."

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