WHEN we decide to tackle a problem, people take notice - and we can report that the Citizen has done it again, helping highlight a town centre disgrace.

Our gritty report about drugs, drunkenness and begging on Blackburn Boulevard has sparked intense action from town centre police.

Following the revelations of violent fights between drunks, young men begging for cash and evidence of drug abuse littering the cathedral grounds, police officers are now patrolling the area on a daily basis.

Newspaper seller Jeffrey Perkins, who complained that sales from his Boulevard kiosk had hit an all-time low, said trade has been boosted since our front page report because drunks have fled the area for fear of being apprehended by police.

Mr Perkins added: "In the past week my sales have shot up and the drunks have vanished. A police officer came to see me last week after the Citizen made enquiries and since then they have patrolled the area every day. I'm amazed by the difference the story has made.

"I'm very grateful to both the police and the Citizen."

But although David Cottam, president of Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade, echoed Mr Perkins' praise for the police, he added: "This doesn't necessary solve the problem. The drunks and beggars are only going to move elsewhere in the town centre.

"Shoppers, especially those new to the area, are no doubt put off by the harassment they receive from the beggars and this can only be detrimental to town centre trade.

"But I honestly don't believe there is a solution to the problem. Drop-in centres and organisations such as the Salvation Army help but it's obviously not enough."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.