A NEW intelligence-led action plan to combat youth crime is being put into place, top officers told the first meeting of a new police and community forum in Blackburn.

Chief Inspector Paul Reynolds, new support services co-ordinator, said: "We are putting together a computer database of juvenile nuisance and targeting teams of officers to deal with a particular problem area.

"After the first incident the culprits will be warned, then if they re-offend they will have a letter sent to their parents.

"A third offence could result in an arrest, but we hope must people would be deterred by the time they got to that stage."

The new Eastern Division - which incorporates Blackburn, Hyndburn, Darwen and the Ribble Valley - will be split into geographical teams of officers, led by a sergeant.

Superintendent Eddie Walsh said: "Hopefully this will result in a team of officers working continuously in one area, becoming familiar to the local community and having a greater understanding of the problems in that area."

Chief Insp Reynolds added: "This theory seems to be working. In the first month of the reorganisation, crime in Blackburn has fallen by around 35 per cent. In Darwen, reported crime has dropped by four per cent.

"Although we must take into account that these figures are for only one month, it is a positive move and shows that smarter policing is helping the force meet demand."

He added that schemes such as City Challenge, Neighbourhood Watch and Community Forums were helping to improve communication between the local authority, police and the public.

Supt Walsh revealed that by the end of the year, the Eastern Division would be employing analysts to consider the information provided by the database.

He added: "We will also be employing clerks to type up police officers' reports and cut down on the bureaucracy behind the job and give officers more time to be on the streets, where they are needed."

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