EXTRA police patrols and increased security have helped reduce crime outside a troubled health centre.

The 60 staff based at the Avondale Health Centre in Brownlow Fold have complained for weeks of vandal attacks on the building and cars and had to suffer verbal abuse from youths.

A special watch was kept on the centre by police during the weekend and the area was free from trouble.

Now police have pledged to continue to keep a careful check on the health centre.

Things had got so bad that Community Healthcare Trust bosses were forced to draft in security guards to patrol at evenings and weekends.

Youths had jumped on doctors' cars, there was an attempt to burn down the building, windows were smashed, the car park was littered with broken bottles, cars dented and scratched and staff verbally abused and intimidated by the gangs.

Beat bobbies and divisional officers also mounted an operation in the area at the weekend to keep an eye on the centre.

Police chiefs say they will continue to keep a close watch on the centre to ensure the problems do not return and security advisers are meeting with health centre bosses to work out ways in which security can be improved.

Delighted centre manager Kath Bailey said that thanks to the extra security patrols and the issue being highlighted in the BEN staff have enjoyed several days of peace.