An East Lancashire MP has thrown his full support behind a police crackdown on yobs as it is rolled out across his constituency with extra patrols in its main town.

Ribble Valley Tory Nigel Evans said anti-social behaviour was one of the biggest issues raised with him by residents.

He welcomed the news an extra 120 foot patrol hours in Clitheroe will be undertaken every month over the next six months as part of the drive known as Operation Centurion.

The crackdown on anti-social behaviour hotspots, first launched in July 2023 in six Lancashire districts, has now been rolled out across the county including to Clitheroe in the Ribble Valley.

The operation is led by the police's local neighbourhood teams, supported by the new ASB Prevention and Problem-Solving Command and a team of specialist officers.

It will work with the council, housing associations and key partners across Clitheroe to shut down drug dens, seize nuisance bikes and secure arrests for those involved in a variety of offences from drug dealing to criminal damage.

Mr Evans said: “One of the number one issues which Ribble Valley residents raise with me is crime and anti-social behaviour.

"What people are always telling me is that they want to see more officers on the beat and more visible policing.

“I am delighted therefore, to welcome this new approach by Lancashire Constabulary which will see more police patrols in anti-social behaviour hotspots including Clitheroe.

"I know this will be welcomed by my constituents and I am pleased to see they are already seeing progress across the county with more nuisance vehicles off the street and more arrests made.”

Lancashire’s police and crime commissioner Andrew Snowden added: "Anti-social behaviour is a blight on our communities and an issue that residents raise with me time and time again, which is why I have made it a priority .

"This team is now operational and working with our partners to find long terms solutions to address the underlying issues that cause ASB in the first place.”