[lettie]

I have lived in Hyndburn all my life, the first 8 years in Church, the rest in Accy, and I can say with absolute conviction that there has been a definate decline. I'm not just talking about town centre, but other areas that were once nice residential areas have now become homes to those ruled by yob mentality. I remember when Within Grove estate was nice, I even attended a street party there for the Queen's Silver Jubilee. Now it looks like Beirut on a bad day. I don't think that this is just Accy. I can only speak for the areas I work in and drive round regularly. Parts of Blackburn, Darwen and Clitheroe are as rough as a bear's backside too.
Decline is not wholly the fault of local government, although they could do more to improve environs, keep a basic standard of cleanliness, maintain buildings etc. What we are seeing locally and nationally is a social decline of individuals standards, a loutish culture where people honestly believe that they are entitled to everything for nothing. Where a minority (because they still are a minority) of people let their kids run wild and terrorise decent folk, drop litter, break glass in the street, vandalise cars and buildings. I am not exaggerating as these things used to be a nightly occurence round my way (thank God for ASBO's)