A CRACKDOWN on criminal damage has been launched in Blackburn.

Officers met with council staff and other agencies to draw up action plans for collective ways of halting a rising number of criminal damage cases.

But police reassured the public there was not a cause for concern and said the scheme, named Wipeout, was about prevention.

There were around 120 more offences from April 2005 to date in Blackburn than during the same period the previous year.

At the same time, areas such as Accrington and Darwen saw a reduction.

The project, to be officially launched next month, will see posters displayed in shops and on lampposts to tell the public how they can help by reporting incidents.

Leaflets delivered to houses, school visits and mobile CCTV units were also discussed as measures to deter vandals.

Inspector Claire Holbrook said there had not been a dramatic rise in criminal damage, but confirmed it was an area where police were not producing the best results.

The crackdown comes just weeks after teenage gangs from out of the area were said to have ripped off roof tiles at Lammack County Primary School, and smashed bus shelters.

Meanwhile two weeks ago, in Daisyfield, police believe five teenagers were responsible for 80 crimes, including smashing car windows and bus shelters.

Representatives from various departments of Blackburn with Darwen Council, voluntary youth organisations, Twin Valley Homes, The Youth Offending Team, and the arson prevention team from Lancashire Fire and Rescue blamed a lack of communication between services for the rise.