MORE than £90,000 is to be spent on two Blackpool crime hotspots, it was revealed this week, after burglaries reached more than twice the national average.

The grant-- the result of a successful police bid to the Home Office -- will be spent on the Park and Alexandra wards as part of the Burglary Reduction scheme, which is a joint initiative between Lancashire Constabulary and Blackpool Borough Council. Park ward will receive £48,700 and Alexandra will be granted £42,500.

PC Sarah Salisbury said crime levels in these two wards reached twice the national average of 57 burglaries for every 1000 residences in the last three years.

She added: "Both Park and Alexandra wards have a domestic burglary problem and the grant will allow the council and police to improve the quality of life for residents."

There will be upgrades in domestic security, environmental improvements such as boundary fencing and better lighting for streets and private properties. All of this would be supervised by a "super caretaker" who would also receive crime training in other security measures.

Coun Leslie Kersh, who sits in Park Ward, reacted to the funding by saying: "I think it's brilliant. The majority of the crime here is by youths, many of whom are already on bail for previous crimes. This money will complement the other amounts that have gone towards CCTV cameras in the area and at local schools, which should make a difference."

Coun Eddie Collett, who represents Alexandra ward, admitted there is a problem, but said it is difficult for the authorities to act.

"Some areas have a particular estate or street renowned for criminal activity, but Alexandra is the main holiday area and you find quite affluent people living right next door to those in poorer circumstances, which makes criminals difficult to identify."

He added that the situation has been "horrendous" at times and hopes the money will "put a dent in the overall burglary figures."

PC Salisbury said a meeting with the police and council will take place next week to finalise the plans, and the one-year scheme should begin soon.

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