PEOPLE in Baxenden were slammed for their apathy after a meeting to discuss policing in Hyndburn attracted only one resident from the village.

The Hyndburn Police and Community Forum meeting at Hollins High School, Baxenden, was attended by police officers, committee members, councillors and three other people. Of those, one did not live in Baxenden and another was Ivan Smith, the chairman of Hyndburn magistrates.

The forum meetings, organised by Lancashire Police Authority, give residents the chance to question the borough's leading police officers directly, as well as hearing about initiatives to tackle crime.

Posters announcing the meeting had been put up in Baxenden, and details of the event had been passed to newspapers and radio stations, who were criticised for not giving the meeting enough publicity.

Chairman Maurice Cowell said: "People in Baxenden have been crying out for a forum. It is three years since a meeting was held here and it will be a long time before we come here again."

Chief Superintendent Eddie Walsh, head of Lancashire Police's Eastern Division, said it was one of the worst turn-outs he had ever seen, but suggested that the low turnout meant the public were happy with policing in their area. Topics discussed at the meeting included:

Drivers speeding on Manchester Road, Baxenden,

Reduced crime figures,

New moves to tackle abusive drinkers in Accrington,

A presentation about the underwater search unit.

Accrington resident Tom Parsons asked whether people's complaints at forum meetings were taken on board by the police.

Chief Supt Walsh replied: "We listen and take action where we can take action."

County councillor George Slynn suggested that as the meetings covered Hyndburn, they should be held in the most accessible towns of Accrington, Great Harwood and Oswaldtwistle.

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