POLICE on horseback, reinforced ‘riot vans’ and targeted neighbourhood action will be available to deal with any fires, fireworks and crime problems in Nelson and Brierfield this week, a Pendle Council committee was told.

Councillors on the Nelson, Brierfield and Reedley Committee said they wanted to avoid any repeat of problems four years ago involving youths, fireworks and cars. There were also worries raised about recent speeding cars and partly dismantled vehicles being left on streets, including the risk of the dismantled cars being filled with fireworks.

Councillors asked for updates on a number of police issues at the latest Nelson committee meeting earlier this week in a session with a police community support officer.

Coun Mohammad Hanif said: “Usually we have a plan for bonfire night. Have we got one this year? We have no idea what the action plan is. About four years ago we had a massive issue with young people throwing fireworks and driving cars outside the Co-op. We can’t have that again.”

PCSO Holly Pinder said she had just come back to work after some days’ leave so had not seen the latest police bonfire plans. However she said:  “Larger scale planning would be done at a higher level than me. But I’ll speak to my sergeant to get more details for councillors. However,  we will have mounted police this Thursday and Friday in Nelson and Brierfield hotspots. We will also have riot vans, neighbourhood targeting and the fire service.

“At the moment, our focus is on bonfire night. In the neighbourhood teams, we are doing talks at schools to pupils from years seven to 11. But extra patrols will be put on for Nelson and Brierfield. These range from dogs to traffic patrols and unmarked patrols.

“If you know of any hotspots for fireworks and anti-social behaviour then please let us know.  If residents see any stacks of wood or flytipping  then please report it. Fires put a massive strain on emergency services.  If residents do report piles of wood or rubbish then we well get these removed as soon as possible.”

Giving a general update, PCSO Pinder said reports of anti-social behaviour in the area had fallen from 325 in October 2020 to 159 in October of this year.  She said: “October and November are usually very challenging months with Halloween and Bonfire Night so we have been impressed to see the reported incidents falling.”

But she added: “There are two projects in Nelson at the moment regarding anti-social behaviour.  We plan to go to schools and mosques with damaged vehicles to speak to young people about the issues.

“I’m also aware that there are a number of roads where speeding is a problem in Nelson, Brierfield and Reedley. But we need the public to contact us, to log the incidents and get statistics so we can act.”

Coun Zafar Ali spoke about a car left in a street outside a nursery which was partly dismantled and had no front end. He said: “It’s just waiting to be filled with fireworks. You can practically see the engine. I’m genuinely concerned this vehicle has been left in such a state for such a long time.”

Coun Hanif said some residents were concerned with how long it took to report incidents by calling the non-emergency 101 number. However the PCSO said people can go online to report incidents as an alternative to dialling 101.

The committee also discussed concerns about anti-social behaviour by youths in areas including Chapel Street and Heyhead Park in Brierfield.

The PCSO replied: “If groups have moved to Heyhead Park then we need to know. We need information. If people are simply hanging around in a large group then that is not anti-social behaviour. But if they are shouting and dropping litter then that is anti-social behaviour.

Commitee chairman Coun  Naeem Ashraf said things had been a bit quieter at Chapel Street. Coun Mohammad Sakib said local mosques and imams had been giving out messages about fireworks and anti-social behaviour at Friday prayers.

In other police updates, the PCSO said better support was being provided for victims.  On crime figures, she said reported thefts had fallen in October this year compared to last year but reported burglaries had risen by six to 16.

The sale of vape pens, known as geek bars and elf pens, to under age children was another issue. Police had visited shops and giving out warnings to traders.  If need be, police would go to Trading Standards and arrange test visits to shops, she added. She also spoke about problems with car parking on double yellow lines near schools and near takeaways at night.