SEVEN people were detained on the first night of a high-profile police purge on drunks in a town where 1,000 people were arrested for drink-related incidents last year.

Operation Valentine, which will continue all weekend in Accrington town centre, was mounted in response to concerns about the safety of people enjoying a night out at pubs, clubs and restaurants in the town.

The operation, which started at 7pm last night and continues until late on Sunday, involves police dog handlers and mounted officers patrolling the town.

Inspector Peter Zsigmond said officers had received a positive reaction from people in the town centre. "Many of them came up to us and said how good it was to see police out on the streets. This was an operation to make the people of Accrington feel safe and reassured enough to go out and enjoy themselves in the town centre."

Six of the arrests were for public order offences with one for criminal damage. All those arrested were charged and bailed to go before Hyndburn magistrates on March 20. One 18-year-old man was bailed subject to him not entering Accrington town centre at weekends.

Earlier this week, Sergeant Brian Hopwood told Hyndburn licensing committee that more than 700 people were arrested for public order offences in Accrington last year.

Another 401 were detained for breach of the peace and he added: "That's 1,000 coming through the back door of Accrington police station for offences, 99 per cent of which involved over-indulgence in drink."

A swoop on mobile criminals was staged last night as police set up a stop and search site on a busy Blackburn road. Operation Cleansweep was targeted at cars containing stolen goods and drivers under the influence of drink or drugs.

The stop and search site was set up on Preston New Road between the junctions with Montague Street and Ada Street at 7.30pm and manned until late in the evening.

Inspector Harling added: "This was part of our ongoing policy to tackle community safety issues and concerns."

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