A MAJOR initiative aimed at tackling youth crime and improving community safety was being developed today.

Youth and community workers, police and representatives of Blackburn Partnership, the business and local council regeneration initiative, were joining forces to put together a package of measures for the borough.

The conference, at Astley Bank Conference Centre, Darwen, follows a visit to study work to combat similar problems in Edinburgh.

It has focused on the importance of tenants' associations in dealing with problem neighbours and response to racial incidents.

It has also provided groups of children at risk from being drawn into crime with more constructive activities.

A community mediation project has been set up to train residents how to resolve local conflicts without calling the police, and youngsters are also taught the dangers of drugs and the consequences of crime.

Children are provided with a place to go before and after school to prevent them roaming the streets and police encourage links with youngsters by organising community activities.

Senior youth and community service co-ordinator Tony Doherty said: "Crime and the fear of crime affects the quality of most people's lives in the borough.

"Dealing with crime committed by young people is high on the agendas of the major political parties.

"The youth and community service and the agencies invited to this conference want to make an active contribution to addressing these issues."

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