The Most Dangerous Street in Lancashire

Clubbers are unaware that they spend their nights on the most dangerous street in Preston and Lancashire.

Church Street, once known as psycho alley, is the most dangerous street in Preston at night.

From April 2006 to March 2007, figures showed 233 incidents of violent crime and 638 reports of anti-social behaviour, making Church Street more hazardous than any other street in Lancashire.

Out of 20 people interviewed in Preston city centre, only one was aware of this. Keith Trickett, 29, of Garstang said: “I saw it covered in the news.

“My sister goes out all the time and when I pick her up it’s just chaos. It’s horrendous, it’s really bad.”

The majority of people were oblivious. Student Emily Manning, 18, of Bodmin Road, Preston said: “I didn’t know that about this street but I can imagine it.

“Once I was out and walked past a large group of very drunk men who started shouting at me. This was also early on in the night, around 9pm, so I can imagine it getting worse later on.”

Now that she is more aware, Lauren Clarkson, 18, of Chorely said: “I don’t feel safe walking about on my own,”

Victoria Slinger, 26, of Clitheroe said: “I do feel safe, maybe I shouldn’t.”

The problem was clear when three quarters of people interviewed admitted that they go out with the intension to get drunk every time.

Drink promotions such as 80p a drink in clubs like So Bar, of Avenham Street, Preston, encourage this.

Katie Wood, 18, of Chorley said: “I go out to get drunk and spend around £30 per night on spirits.”

Manyana’s door supervisor, Musa Owolabi, 18, said: “There are violent people that just come in, they don’t actually come in to have a good time, they come in to cause trouble.

“Most of them are younger men and when they’re too drunk they decide to act silly”

Manyana’s bar have eight to ten door supervisors on each night and police are always visibly seen patrolling the streets.

Catherine Wood, 19, of Fulwood, said that she feels safe on a night out because the bouncers and police do a good job.

However, most people in Preston think they need to do more. Aaron Seed, 20, of Exton said: “There needs to be more police and bouncers on the street. Fights are stopped but hardly any are stopped soon enough.”