RESIDENTS in Padiham and Hapton will be setting up a forum to tackle policing and other community safety issues.

Following a public meeting at Padiham Town Hall, more than 15 people put their names forward to join the forum which will regularly meet with police and council officials.

Feelings ran high at the packed meeting when approximately 200 people attended to speak about problems in the area including a perceived lack of policing.

They also discussed problems of drugs, juvenile nuisance, burglaries and vandalism.

Independent Coun Granville Lord, who chaired and organised the meeting, said: "This is the foundation for the future and now we must build on it. I have at least 15 names put forward for the forum and I will be writing to them all and then arranging a meeting when we will decide who serves on the committee."

At the meeting Chief Superintendent Mike Griffin answered public concerns about crime and policing and Burnley Council leader Coun Stuart Caddy said a bid would be made for CCTV cameras.

Last time the town bid for cameras about £6,000 match funding was pledged and he urged businesses to back the council's bid again.

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