CRIME levels have been slashed by up to 77 per cent as closed circuit television forces crooks out of Blackburn town centre, it was announced today.

Figures released for the six months to March this year have revealed that drug dealers, thieves and vandals have been forced to move elsewhere.

And the anti-crime system, introduced last June, has also resulted in hoax security calls from town centre phones being wiped out.

Detected incidents of drug dealing fell by 77 per cent during the six-month period, cases of deception fell by 67 per cent and vandalism dropped by 41 per cent.

Now Blackburn with Darwen Council has pledged to continue the fight for cash to extend to scheme to Darwen town centre.

The Blackburn CCTV cameras are linked to monitors in the police station and the shopping centre offices. They are operated in conjunction with a scheme allowing traders to warn each other about suspects using a radio link.

The 43 CCTV cameras were installed thanksto funding from the private sector and the local authority.

The results are due to be presented to the council's regeneration committee on Tuesday.

Chairman Coun Andy Kay said: "There is no doubt that the introduction of these cameras in the town centre has proved to be a worthwhile investment.

"They have kept incidents of crime to an all-time low in Blackburn.

"We hope that the next six months will see the crime rates fall even further."

Sgt Alan Holt of Blackburn Police's crime prevention unit said: "CCTV has been of great assistance to the police in identifying perpetrators of crime who otherwise might never be caught."

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