COMMUNITY leaders have called for crime prevention action in an area of Blackburn after a man was attacked in his own home.

John Lewis, 64, of Cheltenham Road, Revidge, was attacked by robbers who stole money he had collected for a local church.

Coun John Wright said the robbery was symptomatic of problems the area was having with drug dealers and an increase in crime.

Now a meeting between local police, councillors and residents' associations is set to take place on Monday to discuss what can be done.

Coun Wright said: "It is a shocking situation when an old man is attacked in his own home for just a small amount of money he has collected for his church.

"There is a serious issue at the moment in the area of community safety and I think we need an increased police presence.

"I don't feel that the right level of resources are in place in Revidge to stop despicable acts like this occurring.

"There are a lot of positive things going on in the area at the moment and we are going to have an additional community support officer, but more needs to be done."

Coun Wright added: "Any support we can give to the police in carrying out their vital role is something that we would like to look at."

Trish Ferrarin, of the Revidge Residents' Association, said that an increased police presence was not necessarily the answer.

She said: "There is no feeling of community, and that is the key to making people safer and feel safer.

"You have to have relationships with neighbours and if that doesn't happen there will always be fear in the area because people are afraid of what they don't know or don't understand."

She said a representative from her group would attend Monday's meeting at the community hub in New Bank Road.

Sgt Jason Middleton said: "This is a normally quiet area and we are keen to hear any concerns that residents may have."