BURNLEY has won a top national award for its success in cutting town-centre crime.

A government minister heaped praise on the borough when he presented the Crimestop award at a ceremony in London.

David Maclean said he was impressed by the way security cameras and help-points had brought about a big drop in the number of assaults, burglaries and car crime.

The burglary-reduction scheme in Burnley Wood was also highly commended by the organisers of the competition, the Local Government News.

Mr Maclean, who visited Burnley last year, said: "What was particularly impressive about Burnley's town-centre scheme was the borough council's determination to involve the community at every stage by, for example, the installation of help-points for public use.

He said Burnley provided "a great example of what can be done, from which other local authorities can learn."

Accepting the award, council leader Kath Reade said: "We are proud of what we have achieved in Burnley town centre. But we recognise that we must also be tough on the causes of crime.

"That is why we are committed to addressing unemployment, low wages and opportunities for young people."

Crime in the 17 months since CCTV was introduced is 35 per down on the previous 17 months. The biggest reduction is in car-crime, which has been cut by a half.

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