POLICE officers are putting themselves in the spotlight in a bid to calm residents' concerns over crime and gangs of youths causing nuisance.

There will be extra patrols in Barrowford each day this week in the late afternoon and evenings to cut the number of complaints about gangs gathering on street corners in the village.

The "high visibility" move follows a recent meeting of the Police and Community Forum in the village when concerns were raised about non-resident youths coming into the village at night.

Inspector David Shepherd said: "Sometimes the mere presence of these youths causes distress to local residents and that is something we will be bringing to their attention.

"In other instances where vandalism takes place firmer action will be taken against the individuals concerned."

Mr Shepherd said officers would patrol other areas of Nelson during the day to crackdown on local criminals and to talk to people about their concerns.

"We depend on the public to assist us by reporting any suspicious incidents to us at the time they are taking place," he added.

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