VANDALS and litter louts are being targeted by a crackdown on anti-social behaviour as bobbies on the beat sweep up crime on the streets.

Blackburn Beatsweep which started today is an initiative which will use "high visibility policing" to combat problems such as graffiti, littering, speeding and truancy.

Police will be carrying out patrols using a mobile CCTV van and officers will be offering crime prevention information to both residents and businesses in the Johnston Street area.

They will join forces with the council, fire service and government enforcement agencies as well as the church to reduce anti-social behaviour and improve the quality of life for local residents.

The campaign, which runs until Thursday, aims to undertake graffiti and rubbish removal, fire safety checks and truancy sweeps . The police have also enlisted the help of the churches to give out safety packs and packed lunches to vulnerable people in the community.

Sgt Jason Midddleton said: "Beatsweep is all about tackling the problems which matter most to our communities.

"It is an excellent opportunity for local people and other organisations such as the police, fire, council and residents to work together to make a real difference. We want residents to know that we listen to their concerns and are taking action to address them. Campaigns such as this help police to get to the root of the neighbourhood problems."