POLICE chiefs in East Lancashire have welcomed a ground-breaking move to have private security guards patrolling the area's streets and estates.

Home Secretary Jack Straw unveiled plans to link up private firms with the police at the Association of Chief Police Officers' annual conference.

The Blackburn MP's pioneering strategy has also been welcomed by police bosses in his constituency.

The move comes just weeks after Hyndburn's community safety scheme collapsed through lack of funding.

Hyndburn Council pulled the plug on the project after funding ran out to protect free parking in Accrington town centre.

The wardens had proved a huge success in the town and the decision to axe them has sparked a public outcry in the borough. Police chiefs believe Jack Straw's scheme could become Government policy by the end of the year.

Around 50,000 guards across the country would be trained and licensed by the police with the help of town halls.

The aim would be for the private guards to work in partnership with police and in town centres and troubled estates.

The influential ACPO has broadly welcomed the policy and will discuss it in detail in the coming weeks.

The guards will be kitted out with uniforms and identity badges so the public knows they have been officially licensed.

Superintendent Wendy Walker, of Blackburn police, said: "We would support any scheme that would provide us with help and support.

"We would support anything that would help us in improving community safety in East Lancashire."

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