A £550,000 grant to provide new security measures in two crime ‘hot spots’ in Burnley is only the start of tackling yobs and burglars in the town, the borough council leader has pledged.

The cash will pay for new CCTV cameras, motion sensor lights, secure gates and doors, motorbike barriers, alley gating and home security in several terraced streets in Bank Hall and Burnley Wood.

Welcoming the grant, council leader Cllr Mark Townsend said: “I think this is a real opportunity for the two areas which have long-standing challenges. This doesn’t mean we’re going to take our eye of the ball regarding other areas in the town. All other wards are equally important to us.

“We’ll always be striving to get the investment we need to improve their areas also. We’ll do our utmost to get other areas included in the future.”

Environment boss Cllr Afrasiab Anwar said: “I am very excited about the legacy and the long-term impact it will have on residents not just in Bank Hall and Burnley Wood but for the whole of Burnley.”