A HIGH-profile meeting between Rossendale's MP, councillors and local representatives and police Chief Superintendent John Knowles will take place on March 1.

The meeting, for which Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson has been calling for some time, will discuss the recent problems in Bacup and Stacksteads including the vandalism and juvenile nuisance which has blighted Bacup town centre.

At the meeting will be Stacksteads Coun Michael McShea and Bacup Coun Judith Driver, Fr Philip Boast from St Joseph's RC Church, Stacksteads, and Stacksteads resident Dave Tomlinson.

Coun McShea said: "Although things appear to have gone a bit quieter, I am still getting reports about juveniles hanging about in large groups, damage to vehicles and the church wall being vandalised.

"There seems to have been a lull but that could be because we have had a lot of publicity about the problems and the police been taking more action.

"I think what is important is that there is a collaboration of action between the police and the community and I think this meeting will do us all good because it will give us a better understanding of what problems are faced by the police."

Coun McShea added: "We could also follow it up by holding meetings in the local communities looking at the role parents have to play in taking responsibility for their children."

The meeting will be at the divisional headquarters in Burnley.