Task force vow over waste site reports

JON MACPHERSON

AMULTI-AGENCY task force has been set up following reports of public nuisance and environmental harm at a waste site.

Hyndburn council, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Lancashire Police and the Environment Agency said there has been an increase in reports from members of the public concerning activities associated with the TH Smith Ltd site in Great Harwood.

Firefighters say they have been called to the Meadow Street site more than 75 times in the last 12 months, its been revealed.

The council have also revoked the firm’s scrap metal licence and are ‘seeking to use powers to stop further scrap metal trading on site’.

In a joint statement, the task force said: “It is unacceptable that members of the public should have to live side-by-side with unpleasant and offensive activities on their doorstep. We understand and share public frustrations.

“Over the last year we have met regularly and worked together to use all the legal tools we have available to us to disrupt and prevent crime, disorder, public nuisance and environmental harm caused by operations at the site. “We have had some successes but acknowledge that they have been shortlived and brought limited respite.

“Unfortunately longterm solutions require a long-term approach, but all the agencies involved continue to take these issues seriously and are placing extensive resources behind trying to secure the legal solutions needed.”

Hyndburn council said it has an ‘ongoing investigation into illegal burning activities on the site with a view to pursuing legal action’ and is carrying out air pollution monitoring to determine the impact on people’s health from the emissions of smoke and fumes.

Lancashire Police said they have issued a Community Protection Notice which prohibits certain behaviours - however this notice has ‘ now been breached and sanctions imposed’.

A spokesperson said: “The police are actively pursuing an application for the next level of this legislation.

“As long as this criminal and anti-social behaviour continues, we will relentlessly pursue every avenue open to us to restore the community for residents.”

TH Smith declined to comment.

Any information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. CCTV pictures have been released of two people police would like to speak to after two mobile phones were stolen from a shop.

Hyndburn police two Samsung phones were stolen from the O2 store on Broadway in Accrington just before 2pm on Wednesday, June 7.

A spokesperson said: “The [offenders] have entered the store, picking up the two phones attached to the display, pulling them off and making off with the attached wooden base.”

Anyone with information call PC Graham Hartley or PCSO James Southworth on 01254 353103 quoting crime number ED1709518.