THE year-old BAR-U pubwatch scheme for Blackburn town centre venues has been heralded a success. Crime Reporter IAN SINGLETON went out with police in Blackburn to see what is being done. . .

THE crackling message which burst out of the radio was tinny yet could not have been more stark - a woman had set herself on fire in Clayton Street.

The CCTV operator, who works in a room of monitors in Church Street, spotted the incident and was relaying the news across the BAR-U radio system.

Within 20 seconds, six officers were at the scene.

But the urgency vanished as eyes braced for burning human flesh saw the woman vomiting. The CCTV operator had mistaken sick for flames.

Even though a false alarm, this incident highlighted the effectiveness of BAR-U. Some 13 months ago the CCTV operator would have had to dial 999, taking crucial minutes. Now he has a direct radio link to the police, as do the 35 pubs signed up to BAR-U.

BAR-U was launched last December. Meetings are staged monthly between licensees, police and council officers. All parties said these had broken down a 'them and us' attitude that existed before. Through this teamwork, 20 people have fallen foul of the BAR-U policy that a ban from one is a ban from all pubs.

The scheme has also had an impact on crime, with serious assaults in the town centre more than halving to 19 this year compared 46 in the previous 12 months and 48 the year before.

Sergeant Phil Davies, officer in charge of town centre policing, said: "BAR-U has had a dramatic impact. I hope it has meant more people going home without injuries and having a better time in the town, giving the town a better image."

The night I spent with police was like 'Blackburn Uncovered' at times with 'Brits abroad'-style spirits. People were sick in the street. A few men urinated against walls. Officers have a word with these people, but there is little they can do - such behaviour is a side effect of the drinking culture.

Several years ago officers were stationed in a van waiting to respond to incidents. Now the majority patrol the town centre on foot and run the gauntlet of tipsy woman who think it is original to ask to try their police hats on, pinch their backsides and flash flesh. But there is always the threat of violence.

While out and about, police constantly scan crowds for indications of trouble. Anyone raising suspicions would find an officer having a quiet word in their ear - a 'prevention is better than the cure' tactic which has proved successful during the year.

At 11pm, door staff sent a message over the radio saying a 20-year-old man had been assaulted in Northgate. Moments later police and paramedics arrived and found the man lying on his back. Again, it was spotted by the CCTV controller and recorded.

The only time there was a wider tension was late on when the pubs and clubs started to empty.

Police believe that by 2am, up to 2,000 people will be in Darwen Street trying to buy food and get a taxi. After an evening's drinking, impatience at a long waits for lifts home often fray tempers.

More or less all 16 officers on duty are deployed in Darwen Street at this time and shortly before 2am they dragged an 18 and 17-year-old off each other in a takeaway.

Blood poured from the boy's nose and splattered the face of the policeman. The elder received a caution for being drunk and disorderly and the other was charged with a public order offence and assaulting a police officer. They spent the night in the cells at Greenbank police station, Whitebirk.

Council officers and police hope new laws coming into effect within 18 months which compel takeaways to be licensed and employ doorstaff will help.

Sgt Davies added: "Clearly when people have had a lot to drink there is the occasional flash point, but almost all of the 6,000 people out will go home having had a good time. Blackburn is a good place for a night out - if you behave yourself."