PROS and Cons. Police crackdown on crime and prostitution in Birkenhead, got a wider audience on BBC 2's Close Up North. Police Superintendent Paul Forrester put his job on the line that 'Townsafe' will work.

On TV prostitutes cried harassment from constables. Youths brutally attack and kick a man in the shopping centre caught on a security camera.

Rowdy town revellers are rounded up by police in another scene from the action packed documentary called Painting The Town Blue.

Residents in the Conway Street area complain that prostitutes have been pushed from Corporation Road into housing estates. Prostitues complained they have been pushed into 'dangerous' docklands.

They say it is a civil liberty imposing a curfew on those caught. They threaten legal action against the police.

Armed police officers are filmed checking vehicles coming out of the Mersey Tunnels. The Townsafe message is that the police will continue to get tough with those who perpetually commit acts of violence and anti-social behaviour.

Painting The Town Blue portrayed a town's police force determined to crackdown on crime. A bright spot was youngsters playing sport at Birkenhead Boys' Club contrasting with a scene of young girls on a late night drinking binge on church steps.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.