Sarah Smith MP and Hyndburn Council visit Rishton Library

After Hyndburn MP Sarah Smith visited the library in High Street last week, a cross-party appearance from the council also paid a visit to the facility on Tuesday, September 25.

It has faced a barrage of anti-social behaviour over the last few months with windows and doors being smashed and librarians reportedly facing abuse by a group of young people.  

Deputy council leader Noordad Aziz was joined by Cllr Bernard Dawson and Lancashire County Councillor Carole Haythorntwaite to show support for staff and showcase the facility.

Cllr Aziz said: “We went there cross-party to show support to the staff and highlight the wonderful building we have got.

“We reiterated that we want a solution and how best we can intervene to safeguard the building from vandalism.

“It is a community asset, and it is important to preserve it and the safety of our staff as no one should fear having to go to work.”

He also promised the staff that the issue would be raised again with the Lancashire police force.

Cllr Dawson outside Rishton Library (Image: Noordad Aziz)

Sarah Smith MP also pledged her support to working with the police to ensure that the perpetrators are held to account.

In a statement written on her Facebook she said: “or too long, Rishton Library has suffered from vandalism and wider antisocial behaviour. This behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“Thank you to the staff and its visitors for their continued patience. I will do everything I can to prevent these problems from continuing.”

The library was forced to introduce security staff at the start of July and last week the centre was forced to close its doors again after the doors were smashed overnight.

These disturbances have put the library under threat with thousands of pounds worth of repairs needed almost every week.

Cllr Peter Buckley, cabinet member for community and cultural services, Lancashire County Council, said at the start of the month: “Unfortunately, Rishton Library has been subject to a campaign of anti-social behaviour and criminality over several months.

"We want to make clear that we will not tolerate assaults, physical or verbal, against our staff and no amount of anti-social behaviour against our library staff or the building.

"We are working actively with the police and targeted youth services to manage the situation at Rishton Library.

"We are also continuing to support our staff, who should never have to deal with this sort of behaviour."