FOLLOWING a series of vandal attacks on Darwen’s playgrounds a new radical approach to preventing further violence is being considered.

The town has in recent weeks seen several outdoor play areas suffer damage from anti-social behaviour including Bold Venture Park and Olive Lane.

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Now, Sunnyhurst councillor Pete Hollings has begun the process of creating widespread Public Spaces Protection Orders with the borough council, which would make it a criminal offence to enter certain areas at certain times.

He said: “I do not see the point in repairing any of the play areas in Darwen if they are being ripped up again week in week out. We have to apply something that is going to work more effectively.

“I have begun the process of creating PSPOs in Darwen with Blackburn with Darwen Council. It could be used by police giving them more powers to protect our parks and recreational areas from vandalism.

“At the moment I am setting up a consultation with BwDBC Legal and Environment teams and the police before consulting with friends groups and ward councillors.”

Cllr Hollings stated that the other option may have been to put public dispersal orders in place which would allow police forces to take home any young person under 16 who is out on the streets unaccompanied in a dispersal zone at night.

However, Cllr Hollings believed this power would have very limited effects.

He said: “I believe that PSPO’s were introduced for a reason and I believe the circumstances we’ve witnessed in Darwen are an example of the purpose they have been brought in for.

“Rather than kids just being sent home, there would be a £200 fine if they breached the order.”

The consultations over bringing in the orders will take five to six weeks approximately before the council will take action to put them in place.