BOROUGH bosses are to step up action against dog fouling and playground vandalism at Darwen ‘grot spots’.

The pledge came after concern was expressed about both issues at Darwen Town Council last week.

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Blackburn with Darwen Council Environment boss, Cllr Jim Smith, admitted that there had been problems with dog mess across the town and vandalism to play areas, particularly at Olive Lane park in Sudell.

He confirmed the borough was looking at employing private contractors to catch and identify owners of dogs fouling streets and was looking at new ways to reduce vandalism of play equipment.

Cllr Smith promised that either he or his deputy, Sudell Labour councillor Jane Oates would attend a future meeting of Darwen Town Council to explain the new strategy.

He said: “We are out to tender for a private company to deal with and fine owners of dogs who foul the streets.

“The aim is for it to be cost neutral to the council and for them to keep the fines.

“They will tackle known ‘grot spots’ for this offence across the borough and there are several in Darwen the new system will target.

“Vandalism of playground equipment is a real problem and we can no longer afford to go out an repeatedly repair it.

“We are looking at installing equipment which is resistant to vandalism and what we can do to tackle the problem, including moving the youth shelter on Olive Lane.

“This is one of the known ‘grot spots’ for this in Darwen and elsewhere.”

Cllr Smith dismissed a call by Sudell Liberal Democrat Roy Davies to install cameras in play areas saying one at Olive Lane had been vandalised.

Cllr Davies said: “I am not sure the proposed action is good enough, especially at Olive Lane.

“They have not looked after this park and need be smarter in their use of cameras.

“I don’t believe moving the youth shelter will solve the problem but might make it worse.”

Cllr Browne said: “The proposal to tackle dog fouling is good news.

“It’s happening everywhere in the town and is simply disgusting.”

Marsh House Tory councillor John Slater welcomed the decision to use a private contractor to tackle dog fouling.