A COUNCILLOR has raised safety concerns after he found a knife hidden in bushes while taking part in a community clean-up day in Blackburn.

Cllr Suleman Khonat made the discovery on land in The Croft, just off Shear Brow, and also found a quantity of what he believes to be drugs, although that has not been confirmed by the police.

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Following the discovery, Cllr Khonat, a serving Magistrate who represents the Shear Brow ward, has warned that neither drugs or weapons will be tolerated in the area.

Cllr Khonat said: “On Saturday and Sunday we were doing a clean-up programme. This time we were doing East Park Avenue, The Croft and East Park Road. Around 20 people were taking part.

“We were clearing some shrubs in East Park Avenue and I found some drugs there and a very big knife.

“We called the police and they came and took them away.

“It’s very worrying. We have knocked door to door and told all the residents they need to be vigilant. I have also asked the police to do more patrols in the area. It s unacceptable for the community to have to put up with this and it’s not something we are going to tolerate.

“The worrying thing for me is how long has that knife been there? Did someone keep it there to come back to or have they just dumped it and forgotten all about it?”

Cllr Khonat said despite the discovery it had proved to be a successful day and they had removed numerous bags of rubbish. He thanked Blackburn with Darwen Council for providing the cleaning materials and removing rubbish bags.

A police spokesman said: “We were called to The Crofts in Blackburn around 3.15pm where residents doing a clean-up had found a knife. This has been collected by officers and enquiries are ongoing.”

The spokesman said there was nothing to suggest the knife had been used in any crime.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log reference 0875 of 21 November or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.