PATROLS and improved security are to be put in place at parks and cemeteries in a bid to beat vandals, thieves and yobs.

Bosses at Blackburn with Darwen Council have unveiled the plans after concerns were raised over thefts from cemeteries and boy racers wrecking parks.

Coun Alan Cottam said the gates will be locked to cars at all cemeteries from 5pm in the winter and 9pm in the summer.

He said: “People have told us that they are concerned about security and we are taking action.

“These new measures will stop cars getting into the cemeteries and some parks at night, causing damage or anti social behaviour.

"It will also lessen the chance of any thefts, which thankfully are rare.”

Recently there have been concerns about thefts from graves at Pleasington Cemetery.

There have also been worries over boy racers doing ‘doughnuts’, spinning their cars in a circle, at the Pleasington playing fields and driving on the football pitches.

Last month we reported that toy cars had been stolen from the grave of 29-year-old Julie Livesey’s baby son Thomas Neely on four occasions.

The police were also investigating several other thefts.

Julie, of Sudellside Street, Darwen, said: “This is great news and I am happy that our concerns have been listened to but there will be many people upset that the gates close so early.”

Coun Cottam said: “The new firm will ensure that the gates are locked at night and reopened in the morning.

"It will improve security and tackle problems caused by cars getting onto the sites at night, particularly Pleasington where vehicles have been damaging the playing fields. New signage will also be displayed.”

Pedestrian access is always available to the sites and the new firm will be taking over from Monday.