Council meeting delayed over ‘threats’

A COUNCIL meeting had to be suspended after a shouting man attempted to enter the debating chamber.

Police are now seeking to identify the ‘intoxicated’ individual.

The full council meeting of Hyndburn Borough was under way on Thursday night, July 1 when councillors heard the man shouting and trying to get into the ballroom at Accrington Town Hall.

Several councillors and officials went to see what was happening.

Chief executive David Welsby suspended the meeting and Mayor

Coun Kath Pratt was taken to an ante-room while the incident was dealt with.

After ten minutes, the meeting was resumed to continue debating Accrington Market Hall rents.

Mr Welsby told councillors: “A man has been escorted from the building and the police have been called.”

The man was shouting that councillors were enjoying tea and biscuits while there were homeless people on the streets of the borough.

Hyndburn council leader Coun Miles Parkinson said: “Council officers and town hall staff responded swiftly and effectively last night after a member of the public disrupted the council meeting; no one was harmed and the meeting resumed shortly after.

“To all members of staff involved thank you for your quick action. I can confirm the police were called and CCTV footage is being reviewed.”

A police spokesman said: “We were called to Accrington Town Hall by security staff at 7.48pm on July 1 to reports an intoxicated male had entered the building and was being verbally abusive and making threats.

“The man left the building undetected before officers arrived.

“Enquiries are ongoing to identify him.

“Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting log 1482 of July 1, 2021.”

No tea and biscuits were served at the meeting.