A MASSIVE operation to stamp out prostitution and kerb crawling in one of Blackburn's red light districts was launched by police today.

Operation Eradicate will run for five weeks in the King Street area of town and has been launched in a bid to clean up the streets.

Police say it comes in the face of increased complaints from residents and businesses in the area around Chapel Street, Garden Street and Oakenhurst Road.

They added that the problem has got so bad that condoms and syringes are discarded in the street and innocent girls are being mistaken for prostitutes by kerb crawlers.

Plain clothed and uniform officers will patrol the area and arrest prostitutes caught plying their trade.

Surveillance operations will also be mounted to target kerb crawlers in the area.

If drivers are seen approaching prostitutes and offering money they will be immediately stopped and prosecuted for soliciting.

Warning letters will be sent to owners of vehicles seen repeatedly visiting the area and, if that is no deterrent, police will visit them at their homes.

The operation, which will run until July 21 when it will be reassessed, will be publicised by a poster campaign to warn prostitutes and kerb crawlers. PC Sue Seddon, of Blackburn Police's south area team, is co-ordinating the scheme. She said: "Residents and businesses are becoming increasingly concerned about the nuisance caused by prostitutes and kerb crawlers. Condoms and syringes are being discarded around the back of some businesses and some young girls are being approached by men who assume they must be prostitutes. This is, obviously, something we want to stop.

"We want to provide support for those girls who want to leave prostitution and all in all create a safer environment for persons living and working in the area as well as making it less attractive for kerb crawlers." Local councillor Don Rishton welcomed the news of the scheme. He said: "This is a problem that has recurred over the years and I know thatresidents and businesses have complained about it from time to time. I'm sure this clampdown by the police will be something that is welcomed in the area."

Businesswoman Maralyn Rigby, joint owner of Byrom's Building Supplies, Chapel Street, said that her business had been badly affected by prostitutes and drug dealers operating in the area.

"We find needles and used condoms here in the morning, and I've even seen prostitutes hanging around at 4pm when children are going home from school," she said.