HYNDBURN MP Graham Jones this week spent seven hours with police and community activists seeing for himself the success of the CANsafe initiative to keep local young people safe from drink, drugs and grooming.

He said the scheme, soon to be extended to Blackburn, was a blueprint for national action.

On his blog, the Labour backbencher said: “I recently did a seven-hour shift with CANsafe on a dark Friday night. My experiences showed to me how effective this initiative is.

“Originally set up in Peel ward, I believe such is it’s success, it won’t be long before it is standard police practice nationally.

“Nearly all the 40 professionals involved gave their time voluntarily or as part of their normal work hours.

“Our patrol had numerous police interventions, properties where child grooming is suspected, known haunts for youngsters drinking and where drink was confiscated if an under 18 was present, 16 and 17-years-olds found drinking in town centres and pubs, patrolling off licences, stopping suspected burglar’s and individuals acting suspiciously late at night in residential areas.”