HYNDBURN has scooped a major award for its attempts to curb crime throughout the borough.

The award, presented to the Hyndburn Partnership at the The National Crime Prevention and Community Safety Awards, comes after the partnership beat off 200 entries to win a place among several prestigious short-listed projects from across the country.

The award recognises the work put in to regenerate central Accrington, and judges were quick to express praise to the schemes operating in the Borough which have helped reduce crime levels.

Leader of Hyndburn Council, Councillor George Slynn, said: "Being awarded this is a wonderful achievement for Hyndburn, enforcing the view that the borough has pioneered a remarkable crime prevention strategy."

Initiatives put into place to curb crime include the installation of a CCTV network, nine Community Safety Wardens, radio systems installed in shops, improvement of street lighting and the introduction of more secure car parking.

More recently, the police, Age Concern, Victim Support and Hyndburn Homewise have joined forces to fit security devices such as new doors, chains and alarms, to the homes of the elderly living in the area.

The Partnership has been accredited for a 43 per cent reduction in shoplifting and a staggering 91 per cent reduction in theft from cars. The town's success has been featured on national television, and adapted to suit other towns including Chorley and Stockport.

Coun Slynn added: "This award will boost the borough's profile, showing crime prevention methods used in Hyndburn to a national audience. We are all very proud."

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