A COMMUNITY beat officer today urged residents in a trouble-torn neighbourhood to control their own streets to wipe out crime.

PC Nic Fisher said it was time for people in the area to sink or swim as more than 30 residents attended a public meeting he called in Daneshouse, Burnley, to discuss the area's problems.

He urged people to volunteer to become special constables and help police the area which was among one of the worst affected in last year's riots.

PC Fisher, who was backed by Inspector John Clucas, said: "People in the Daneshouse area know who the troublemakers are and need to give me information for me to help.

"Daneshouse is like a big lake and it is time for us all to jump in the middle and see if we sink or swim. It is no use paddling around the edges because things will remain as they are."

At the meeting a number of points were raised to help fight crime in the blighted area. The police are looking at various ways to reduce crime, including:

l Boxes in key places for residents to post information about crime.

l Regular police surgeries held at Asda, Burnley.

l Mobile police stations for people to be able to visit PC Fisher if they have any concerns.

l Youth Action Groups which bring young people together to get ideas on fighting crime.

Worried resident Amir Mohammed Mirza added his voice to the call and urged neighbours to volunteer to police the area.

Mr Mirza, 29, of Grey Street, told the meeting he was concerned about future generations living in an area where people are taking drugs on streets corners and vandalising the community.

He said: "If action is not taken now things will only get worse. I have seen things go on in this area which I don't want my family to have to see.

"People here do not want to see drug taking on their street corners and smashed windows everywhere.

"I am afraid that if action is not taken now and we don't stand up against this type of crime then things will get worse.

"I speak on behalf of the community."

Police want residents to become special constables as part of a major crack down on crime in trouble plagued areas in Burnley.

The move comes after residents in Daneshouse complained about drugs, violence and litter problems.

Deputy Mayor and councillor for the Daneshouse ward Rafique Malik said: "People need to act responsibly in the area and work alongside the police to fight crime. "If more and more people get together and work with the police whether it be in a advisory role or as a special constable then there is no doubt that there will be less and less crime on our streets."

Inspector Clucas added: "I am calling on people to give a little of their time to serve their community.

"With the help of specials it gives me the chance to put bodies on the streets to crack down on crime.

"The help we receive from volunteers plays and important part in allowing me to make officers available for emergencies."

The specials are given training and have the same powers as a regular officer to make arrests as well as wearing a similar uniform to the police.

PC Fisher said he needed the help of local residents to reduce crime.

He said: "I need as many people as possible to unite and come forward with information about crimes in the area.

"With all the new initiatives I intend to bring to the area I know that we can make it a better and a safer place."

Lancashire Police are looking to recruit as many people as they can in the area to become special constables.

If anybody is interested in becoming a special constable or finding out more information then contact 01772 410313.