A CRIME-cracking partnership which led to dramatic reductions burglaries and contributed towards the introduction of security cameras has been disbanded.

Burnley Safer Cities was awarded more than £300,000 over its three-year lifetime.

But although the Government-initiated partnership has gone, Burnley Council has launched a new community safety sub-committee to carry on the work.

Graham Smyth, who was the co-ordinator for Safer Cities, and Anne Mullin, assistant co-ordinator, have been retained by the council as safety officer and assistant.

The new committee, led by Coun Tony Harrison, a former policeman, and supported by co-opted members including Superintendant Mike Griffin, met for the first time.

Safer Cities spearheaded a homesafe scheme in Burnley Wood, targeting houses that had been burgled and making victims feel safe in their own homes again by providing extra security measures.

Work was carried out with the youth of the area, back streets were lit, property marked and graffiti removed.

From January 1995 to April 1997 the initiatives led to burglaries dropping by a quarter in each of the years. In South West Burnley, Homesafe was launched in May 1996 combined with witness support, work with children and young people. From April 1996 to January 1997 burglary reduced by 29 per cent.

A domestic violence fieldworker was employed to work with ethnic minorities. Alarm systems and a helpline were introduced and the partnership also backed action on drugs, promoting crime prevention activities and supporting organisations dealing with drugs issues.

CCTV, a radio network and series of help points were introduced to the town centre thanks to Safer Cities, the council and the police.

One of the first commitments of the new committee is to implement the Dordrecht Initiative, introduced by Safer Cities.

This Dutch-based way of dealing with repeat offenders is unique in the UK and will involve the probation service working in partnership with the police, Burnley Council and other organisations.

The Challenge Fund is providing £100,000 and other contributions have provided the scheme with £250,000.

The initiative will link police targeting specific crimes with intense supervision from the probation service.

Offenders facing an increased risk of being caught will be be encouraged and given help to change their lifestyle.

Shirley Johnson, a specialist probation officer, has been appointed to the initiative and will start in July.

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