POLICE and warden patrols are to be stepped up in Burnley's parks after a third violent attack in less than three weeks.

And council officials have said that they are looking at the possibility of increasing CCTV coverage in the parks.

The moves come as part of a review into the safety of the area's parks but Burnley Council leader Gordon Birtwhistle has ruled out closing the parks down at night.

In the latest incident a masked man attacked a 16-year-old at Woodchip Park in Brunshaw Road.

The victim was punched unconscious as he sat on a seesaw.

Last week a 17-year-old boy was beaten with a stick and mugged by two Asian youths as he walked through Thompson Park.

The incident took place in the same park that father-of-seven Mohammed Shafiq died after being stabbed in the stomach and hit over the head only two weeks previously.

Coun Birtwistle has met with Chief Supt Neil Smith and vowed to work with the police to make parks in the town safer.

He said: "This recent spate has been worrying and the council is working with the police to try and make the public feel safe.

"We have wardens who patrol parks in the borough and with the police we are looking into increasing the patrols and placing CCTV in and around the parks.

"Most of the parks are kept open at night with the exception of Scott Park and we will not be changing this as it is only a small minority of people who are causing the problems. It seems a shame that people who just want to enjoy the park should lose out."

Det Insp Sion Hall said: "We are increasing patrols in the park and in the other parks in Burnley. In the long term we are looking into other safety measures such as increasing CCTV and improving lighting."

Brunshaw councillor, Allen Harris said: "If increased warden patrols and CCTV can save one persons life or stop someone from being beaten up then it will have done its job."

Burnley magistrates heard that in the latest incident trouble between two gangs flared in Woodchip Park on March 13.

They were told how 18-year-old Liam Cawtherley set about his victim because he thought the 16-year-old had given his details a rival gang.

The victim was headbutted and kicked in the face until he blacked out.

Cawtherley, of Lyndhurst Road, Burnley, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm. He was bailed for a pre-sentence report and the bench told him they were not ruling out custody.

David Hartley, prosecuting, told the court the 16 -year -old was on a seesaw when the defendant, with his hood up and wearing a scarf around his mouth, approached him and headbutted him.

The victim fell backwards, tried to get up but was punched in the head. The victim fell back again and then blacked out but Cawtherley continued to kick him.

Mr Hartley said the teenager went to his grandmother's and then to hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.

Cawtherley was arrested and interviewed. He said he had six cans of Stella lager and vodka, had been told the 16-year-old was saying things about him and that made him angry.

Lee Hammond, defending, said Cawtherley and his group of friends had been having trouble with a gang known as the "Padiham Boys," and he believed the 16-year-old had given them his details.

Mr Hammond said the defendant was still on speaking terms with the victim despite the assault. He said: "They are both extremely lucky that the injuries weren't more serious than they were. "