A LEADING Preston councillor has urged the council to bring in a security firm to guard areas of the town where, he claims, the police are failing in their job.

Liberal Democrat leader Ron Marshall made the suggestion at this week's meeting of the Property Sub-committee which met to discuss the fate of the beleaguered Savick estate in Preston.

Residents and shopkeeprs have bombarded the council with complaints about youngsters hanging around the shops and shouting abuse at passers-by.

Councillor Marshall compared the Preston estate to crime-ridden areas of Salford where the local authority employed outside security firms to ensure the safety of residents.

Mr Marshall said: "If the police can't deal with the problem then we must look at other ways of dealing with it.

"The police lack resources in both manpower and money. But we have a responsibility to make sure matters like this are dealt with."

However the idea of a private security firm was slammed by Inspector Stephen Chapman of Lea police, the station responsible for Savick. He said: "I can't see it working. The powers that a neighbourhood patrol would have would be negligible.

"They would not be able to demand their names and addresses and if they took hold of them to take them home to mum and dad, then they would be leaving themselves open to claims of assault."

Savick has received a welcome boost being earmarked for grants totalling £40,000 to be spent on lighting, repair work and improved security.

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