VIOLENT crime in Burnley town centre has plummeted - the only place in Lancashire to see a big reduction, according to officers from the town.

Latest figures reveal that between April and November, violent crime in pubs and clubs fell 48per cent from 201 incidents to 105, and in the town centre by 43per cent from 378 incidents to 136.

The figures, which cover crimes such as robbery and assault, were compared to the same period last year.

And the period this year covers the football World Cup, which typically sees a rise in violent crime.

Inspector Damian Darcy hailed the reduction, which he said was down to the town's successful pubwatch scheme Burnley Against Night-time Disorder (BAND).

He said: "These are not just figures, they are people.

"If there are 250 less incidents that is significant and I think it is the only place in the county that is showing a significant reduction."

The drop comes after BAND bosses announced they were considering opening a field hospital in the town centre to treat revellers with minor injuries, and let others sober up.

The scheme was launched six years ago to combat alcohol-related violence, disorder, and crime in the town centre.

More than 30 premises have signed up, and the scheme has won recognition from the Home Office as an example of how to clamp down on yobs, as well as being used as a model by police in Northern Ireland.

In the past year initiatives included: l the launch of sharp detector, a scheme where door staff use hand-held metal detectors to search for knives and other weapons.

l sniffer dogs used to search for drugs on people in queues.

l using hand-held UV lights to check for fake IDs.

l issuing £80 on-the-spot fines for troublemakers.

Insp Darcy added: "If you go out on a night out it is a lot safer."

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