POLICE have assured residents in Oswaldtwistle that they are targeting an archway in Union Road that has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

At a meeting of the Oswaldtwistle Area Council at Rhyddings Business and Technology College last night Councillor Marlene Haworth said: "People are living in real fear and I was wondering if anything was being done about it."

Inspector Julian Platt, from Accrington police, said he was aware of the problems in Union Road and high visibility policing had been used to try and deter people from using the archway for anti-social behaviour.

He said: "The problem is that when the police car goes past people move on, but once it has gone they will be back again. We want to find a long-term solution to the problem and there are tactics and methods that we can employ."

Insp Platt added: "I am confident that by the next meeting the problems will be resolved."