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Text message violence warning to Blackburn kids
7:50am Saturday 30th August 2008
By Nafeesa Shan »
POLICE sent a text message to 1,500 youngsters warning them against taking part in violence to prevent a repeat of a mass brawl involving 50 youths.
Officers delivered the message by Bluetooth to all phones within a 100-metre radius in Blackburn town centre while an under-age night took place at Liquid and Envy, St. Peter’s Street.
It was the first time police had taken such a step and was aimed at discouraging a repeat of the brawl outside the nightclub on July 31.
The message said: ‘Don’t get a criminal record tonight from the police’.
It was sent via Bluetooth technology, which is a way of sending messages to phones nearby without knowing their numbers.
Some 1,506 messages were sent and 253 accepted the download.
Police said it was aimed at young people gathering in the town centre and those at the Liquid and Envy event on Thursday night.
The CCTV van was also deployed as an extra deterrent.
The action was part of Lancashire Constabulary’s Summer Nights campaign tackling anti-social behaviour.
Town centre Sergeant Dave Clarke said: “This was the first time in the division we used the bluetooth technology with kids.
“The message was short to get the point across and it seemed to work well.
“Whilst the event passed without incident, we would like to remind young people and their parents of the importance of organising transport home.
”We will continue to run similar operations as part of Summer Nights to promote our tough stance on crime and disorder violence in our town centres.”
Insp Graham Ashcroft added: “We are really pleased with the success.
"It is a great initiative to reduce crime and disorder and we are pleased with the results.”
During the incident in July crowds of teenagers fought and caused chaos in the town centre after the night at the club finished just after 11pm.
The brawl led to three youths, two aged 18 and one aged 15, being arrested.
Extra officers were also called in to patrol the town centre throughout the night to ensure that no more violence broke out.
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Stone Cold Steve Austin, Bburn says...
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RAyzer, BURNLEY says...
2:55pm Sat 30 Aug 08
nightclub=TROUBLE..h
ow obvious who thinks these hairbrain schemes up??what did they expect!!