A waste site has been temporarily closed by police following a ‘major’ joint agency operation.
The T.H Smith site on Meadow Street in Great Harwood was served with a closure notice on the grounds of it being a ‘nuisance to members of the public’.
More than 100 police officers, police dogs and a police helicopter were called to the site on the morning of Wednesday, September 6, as part of a joint operation involving Lancashire Police, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, the Environment Agency and Hyndburn Borough Council.
The operation also saw the closure of Alan Ramsbottom Way for several hours.
Officers said the action was taken following ‘numerous reports from members of the public concerned about activities associated with the site’.
They also said that ‘numerous attempts have been made to address concerns’ including visits and enforcement activities but they ‘have not seen the level of cooperation required and complaints and offences have continued to occur’.
The closure notice, which lasts for 48 hours, was served under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. A longer term order lasting for up to three months can be applied for at court.
A joint agency statement said: “We have always said it is unacceptable that members of our communities should have to live side-by-side with criminal, anti-social and environmental activities that take place and have such a significant impact on local residents, health and the environment of Hyndburn and today we have taken action to try to address the concerns which the public have rightly been raising with us.
"We understand and share the public’s frustration. Numerous attempts have been made to address the concerns and prevent these activities which have included visits and enforcement activities but as we have not seen the level of cooperation required and complaints and offences have continued to occur, today’s action has been necessary.”
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: “Today’s operation shows the police taking strong action to prevent a nuisance that has blighted the community in Great Harwood for a long time.
"I hope that this notice will allow all partners to work at ensuring that the site remains trouble-free.”
