A COMMUNITY group has been credited with a dramatic drop in crime after launching sports activities for young people.

The Ermine Healthy Communities Partnership Group, which operates in the Highercroft area of Blackburn, has seen anti-social behaviour reduce by almost 50 per cent during the three years since the group was formed.

In the year before the group formed, police said 1,031 reported incidents of anti-social behaviour and 746 crimes were reported.

So far there have been just 519 reported incidents of anti-social behaviour and 624 crimes since July last year.

Local volunteers have been working to include families in group sports and tournaments such as football, badminton and dodgeball.

Volunteer Elizabeth Carlin said: “It’s amazing to see how Highercroft has changed over the years.

“It’s like a different place. The change in the attitude of the children has been incredible.

“When I first started volunteering I thought I couldn’t do it.

"The kids were cheeky and didn’t take the project seriously but I didn’t give up.

“I knew these kids deserved a chance. Now they’re organised, disciplined and show a lot of respect for what we do.”

PC Luke Baldwin, a PCSO who works in the Highercroft area said: “A lot of hard work has been done by numerous different people, members of the community, community groups, the neighbourhood policing team and partner agencies all trying to better the local area.

“It is fantastic that groups like Ermine Healthy Communities Partnership Group actively get involved putting on diversionary activities for members of the community and I have no doubt they have played a big part in helping reduce anti-social behaviour and crime in the area.

“Long may the good work continue.”

Coun Damian Talbot said: “All those involved with the Ermine Healthy Communities Group are a real credit to the community.

“The dedicated volunteers have helped engage young people in positive activities and the whole area is seeing the benefits.

“I hope the success of this group will inspire others across Blackburn with Darwen to get involved in similar projects."