MOTORISTS plagued by car crime could soon be offered a new safe haven to encourage them back into Blackburn town centre during the evening.

Crooks have launched a blitz on unattended vehicles in recent years, prompting police to make tackling the problem one of their top priorities.

Now Blackburn shopping centre has joined forces with officers and Blackburn Council to work on a new scheme to protect vehicles left in the town at night.

One of the main car crime blackspots has been the shopping centre car park, where cars are allowed to park for free at night.

Now there are proposals for motorists to be offered a new, fenced-off area, on the rooftop car park, protected by closed circuit television cameras and possibly monitored by security staff.

If the scheme gets the go-ahead, using the area will cost motorists a nominal fee, possibly £1.

The scheme is being considered following the success of the protected car park scheme operating at Waves swimming centre.

Shopping centre assistant manager John Holt said: "We are hoping to join forces with the police and the council to get something off the ground in the near future.

"We want to provide safer parking for people wanting to use Blackburn at night and we want to get on with this scheme for the good of the town."

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