KNOWN criminals from Blackburn and Darwen are being banned from town centres as part of the annual Christmas crackdown on crime.

A hit-list of 15 persistent troublemakers has been drawn up as the drive hots up to make the two town centres safer for shoppers during the busiest time of the year.

But the identities of the 15 are not being released to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph because council bosses who are involved in running the project fear a legal challenge if they are published.

The move came as police launched their annual high profile operation in the area's busiest shopping centres.

Plans already in place include extra patrols, undercover operations and the targeting of known offenders. Car parks will also be patrolled in a bid to cut down on car crime. The 15 offenders - 10 from Blackburn and five from Darwen - are being warned by the police to steer clear of the town and their names are also being circulated to businesses and shops in the Security Link scheme.

Warning notices were handed to the 15 men and women on the list earlier today.

Police have warned that anyone who breaks the ban will be taken to court and made the subject of an Anti Social Behaviour Order.

Last month police successfully applied for an order against a 15-year-old following persistent complaints about the teenager's behaviour.

The order was one of the first of its kind in the country and is part of Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw's Crime and Disorder Act. Anyone who breaks one of the orders is taken back to court and faces a large fine or a spell behind bars.

The Christmas campaign is being organised by a special team of officers set up to deal with town centre crime last June.

Since the squad was created crime rates in Blackburn have plummeted and major successes have included a 57 per cent fall in thefts from cars and a 67 per cent decrease in cases of muggings and pickpocket offences.

Town centre traders were told of the latest initiative at a meeting held in Blackburn on Tuesday.

Pubs and clubs taking part in Blackburn's Pub Watch scheme have agreed to take part in the scheme.

Sergeant Mick Thornber said: "We have had huge successes in reducing crime rates but shoplifting is one area we need to look at closely.

"That is one of the reasons this list of persistent offenders has been drawn up. We are looking at people who consistently behave in an anti-social manner and that can include shoplifting and public order offences.

"These people will be given notice to stay clear of the town centres and if they ignore the notice that will be used as evidence of anti-social behaviour in court."

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "The identities of these people are available to the police and those in the Security Link scheme but we work closely with the Home Office and follow its guidance on these issues.

"The council does not want to face a costly legal challenge for making their identities known to the press.

"If any of these people are arrested in the town centre as a result of this scheme then they will be identified when they appear at court, if they are not juveniles."

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