A NEW amusement arcade in Blackburn town centre would put a burden on police resources and could add to already rising levels of disorder, a report claims.

Blackburn with Darwen councillors will meet next week to decide if a leisure company should be granted a licence to turn the Jam Bar in Church Street into an arcade.

The licence application comes after Chorley-based Sceptre Leisure Solutions successfully appealed against the council's rejection of a planning application to transform the building.

Sceptre was eventually given planning permission.

It has now applied for a licence which would allow the firm to put amusement machines in the building. But police warned that levels of disorder had risen significantly in recent years.

According to a report written by the police's licensing officer Steve Finley, the re-opening of a snooker club behind Jam has been a key factor in the rise.

In his report PC Finley goes on to say the area has seen a marked growth in street crime and that there is no need for an amusement arcade in an area that has crime problems linked to similar venues.

The report adds: "In view of all the facts and the history of the surrounding premises and the statistics that show incidents of disorder and nuisance, the police feel that further premises will require constant monitoring .

"It will be an additional burden on police resources and therefore we object to the granting of a licence at these premises."

Council bosses are also said to be against the plans.

Its regeneration department fears an amusement arcade in a prominent building next to the newly-rejuvenated Church Street would look out of place.

Clergy at Blackburn's nearby cathedral also objected to the arcade at the planning stage.

Traders, too, raised concerns and have written to the council again saying a licence ought not to be granted.

They feel there is a "saturation" of amusement in the area.