TOWN centre rabble rousers and under age drinkers are being targeted in a police crackdown which got under way last night.

Police bosses have pledged to comedown hard on under age drinking and public disorder in Blackburn at weekends.

And police have warned that letters will be sent to the parents of any youngsters caught boozing during the clampdown.

Undercover officers flooded the town centre's pubs and clubs last night. They removed around 30 people from licensed premises and said letters would be sent to the homes of around around 15 under age drinkers.

Plain clothes officers and uniformed police also visited licensed premises in the town and will be repeating the exercise tonight.

A spokesman for Blackburn police said: "At this stage we are not prosecuting but they will be warned, letters will be sent to parents and appropriate action taken with landlords."

He said pubs and clubs had welcomed the move, which follows an increase in public order problems in Blackburn in recent years. The recently published Blackburn with Darwen Crime Audit report highlighted the situation and police have pledged to take tough action.

Trouble in the town has been linked to alcohol and drug abuse and the licensing trade is supporting the blitz.

Inspector Mike Simmons, of Blackburn police, who has helped organise the high profile operation, said: "Public disorder and anti-social behaviour has an impact on the quality of life of people living within our communities."

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