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'Magnet for crime' fears over St John's
FEARS have been raised that St John's square could become a crime hotspot when buses and taxis are banned.
The resort's taxi drivers believe people's safety could be under threat because of alack of vehicle presence.
Bill Lewtas, of Blackpool Licensed Taxi Operators' Association, said: "The council says it is closing St John's to traffic on health and safety grounds but the area could become a magnet for anti- social behaviour.
"The presence of taxis deters crime.
"If the businesses in the area can't make a living and they close, it could be populated with down and outs, beggars and thieves. You don't want that in a 4.7m masterpiece.
"The council will be saddled with an expensive white elephant in the form of St John's Square, which will become a dangerous place late at night."
And Dean James, a Hackney cab driver, added: "It's a big area, it's very barren. There need to be taxis there.
"If people have a problem or feel intimidated, they need to know they can just jump in a taxi or on a bus."
FOR MORE ON THIS STORY SEE MONDAY'S GAZETTE.
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Weather for Blackpool
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
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