THE mindless destruction of a sign at Sherry's Mill Shop, in Padiham, has led to a renewed call for CCTV in the town "as soon as possible."

Owner John Sherry, along with other angry residents, has long been calling for something to be done about the hooliganism and vandalism in the town centre.

When his sign, which cost more than £1,000, was vandalised it was the last straw.

Mr Sherry, a partner in towel manufacturers J and M Sherry (Textiles), said: "I pay £750 a year to use the land the sign is on and they've just sawn it down and vandalised it.

"Whether it was malicious vandalism I don't know but this wouldn't have happened if there had been cameras on the bridge.

"A lot of the shopkeepers are afraid of coming to their shops in a morning for fear of them being vandalised.

"It's a disgrace to the town. Lots of money has been spent trying to attract people here but what's the point? "When I drive through Padiham to the office and see it all boarded up - it's a shame. I'm complaining not just for me but for all the people that live and work here.

"Half of the town is boarded up. How long do we have to wait for CCTV?"

It was announced early this month that a bid, by Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale councils and Lancashire police, for Home Office cash for cameras in Padiham, Nelson, Bacup and Haslingden had passed its first major hurdle.

The bid for just under £700,000 of government cash will be partially matched by cash from other sources, to bring the total investment in crime-fighting to about £1 million.

It is hoped Padiham will receive four cameras and help points giving the public direct telephone access to the police.

A more detailed version of the original bid will be submitted by the joint committee in time for the November 19 deadline.

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