Residents have described Blackburn town centre as “lawless” and “shameful” as anti-social behaviour and drug crime drive shoppers away amid growing safety concerns. In the shadows of a darkened underpass beneath a multi-storey car park, three men huddle together, grumbling about collecting their heroin substitute medication early each morning to avoid being tempted to sell it to fellow addicts. A few metres away, a homeless man sits cross-legged on the ground, slumped forward with his forehead nearly touching the pavement, his makeshift home a tent draped with a sheet for basic insulation.
Vigilante patrols the streets
On the opposite side of the shopping centre, beside the town's bus station – which opened 10 years ago at a cost of £8.4m – self-proclaimed vigilante “Street Hawk” stands on guard, ready to intervene should trouble flare up. In recent months, shoppers and passers-by have fallen victim to random violent attacks in this area. In one incident, a motorist who pulled over to assist a woman reportedly being sexually assaulted was himself attacked.
“Safe streets equal happy streets,” Street Hawk says. “I don't get involved but I do try to help people and I report things to the police when I see stuff happening. It's every day now.”
Shoppers avoid the town centre
Regular visitors to the town centre, such as Barbara Campbell, admit they “wouldn't come out at night”. “I take myself away from a situation if I see things escalating,” Barbara says. “I've seen people being taken away by paramedics when they've had an overdose. I come here every day. There are definitely certain areas in the town centre where I don't feel comfortable.” One elderly shopper, who asked to remain anonymous, adds: “I wouldn't come here at night-time. My family wouldn't let me.”
Maureen Hackett, from Belthorn, carefully plans when she visits Blackburn town centre to avoid trouble. “It's quieter then,” Maureen adds. “I wouldn't walk round here on my own in the evenings.”
Rise in homelessness applications
Homelessness applications across Blackburn with Darwen surged by 108 per cent between 2020 and 2025, with 1,270 submitted during 2024/2025, council figures reveal. The authority's Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for 2026-2031 states: “The ongoing cost-of-living crisis, which began in late 2021, has made housing, energy, and everyday essentials increasingly unaffordable. Rising rents, high property prices, and soaring mortgage costs have placed even greater pressure on households – particularly in areas like Blackburn with Darwen, where affordability was already a challenge and nearly half of residents are homeowners.”
Back in 2020, the council established 10 rough sleeper accommodation pods, and since 2021 the borough has witnessed a 47 per cent drop in rough sleeper numbers. The authority points to “legislative changes, welfare reforms, and economic challenges such as the cost-of-living crisis, increasing rents and mortgage interest rates, and the freeze on Local Housing Allowance rates” as the driving forces behind the rise in homelessness applications.
Council and police response
The council and its partners have rolled out several measures to address recent incidents in Blackburn town centre, including private security personnel at the bus station and a round-the-clock camera monitoring hub. However, councillors maintain that further action is needed. Earlier this month, Councillor John Clayton revealed he had witnessed “hostile behaviour” during a walkabout. Cllr Clayton said he and his colleagues had decided to visit the town centre following contact from “a considerable number of people” expressing concerns about safety.
“One of the most concerning things is the number of people who now feel frightened simply travelling through Blackburn town centre,” Cllr Clayton said. “I've heard from people who regularly use the bus station to get to and from work. Some describe being subjected to verbal abuse, harassment and intimidating behaviour by groups of young people. One person explained that the situation had become so uncomfortable that they had started avoiding Blackburn altogether unless they absolutely needed to be there.”
A Lancashire Constabulary spokesperson said: “As part of Operation Nox we are committed to ensuring Blackburn town centre is a safe place to live, work and visit. In order to ensure this remains the case we undertake regular police patrols in the area and we also work with partners including the local authority and private sector organisations. This approach has resulted in a significant reduction in anti-social behaviour with any issues or individuals quickly targeted. If anyone has any concerns then please approach an officer for a chat or call 101. In an emergency, or if a crime is ongoing, call 999.”
