TEEN no-go zones have been created by police in Burnley and Pendle after growing problems with anti-social behaviour.

Complaints of intimidation, drunkenness, shouting and litter led to three emergency group dispersal orders in Earby, Barnoldswick and Burnley town centre.

Officers were forced to apply for the orders after their warnings to disruptive groups of youths fell on deaf ears.

One police officer, who witnessed a gang defying requests to move on from a seated area in Victoria Road, Earby, said they ‘know everything about their human rights but nothing about their human responsibilities’.

In Burnley, an order under Section 34 of the Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) Crime and Policing Act is in place until 4pm today, covering the square outside the library.

A Burnley police spokesman said: “For weeks now a number of teenagers have been causing issues for people attending Quest Dental Care, the library or using the car park.

“It is a small minority who have spoilt this for the rest but when staff have tried to discuss it with them they were ignored.”

Two similar orders are in place from today until Sunday in the Victoria Road and Goodall Close areas of Earby and the Church Street and Albert Road area of Barnoldswick town centre.

Residents praised the action taken by the police and said the anti social behaviour had been affecting their children.

PC Nigel Keates, from Colne and West Craven police, said he and colleague PCSO Mark Hyde spoke to a group of youths gathering around the seated area on Victoria Road, Earby regarding littering, foul language, screaming and shouting.

He said: “Night after night the behaviour of a group aged between around 12 and 17 was disturbing residents and waking young children.

“The reaction of the young people when spoken to was disappointing.

“One or two were very helpful and picked up litter dumped within feet of a litter bin.

“Others simply refused to pick up the litter and asked ‘Why should I pick up litter that isn’t mine?’.

“When a resident very politely asked the teens to keep the noise down because the screaming had been picked up by their baby monitor and woken the baby, his request was met with smirks and laughter.

“This decision has not been taken lightly but unfortunately circumstances dictate that positive action has to be taken to protect local residents.

“We hope that parents will support us by making themselves more aware of where their children are, what they are doing during the evenings and what effect their behaviour may be having on others.”

PCSO Hyde said: “Due to this behaviour, and that of a similar group gathering in Barnoldswick centre, authority has been given by an inspector for a dispersal order to be implemented this weekend.

“The dispersal order means if the police suspect that a group has been, or is likely to commit anti-social behaviour, crime or disorder they will be directed to leave the area.

“If they then decide not to comply with the direction or return within the next 24 hours then they are committing a criminal offence and that could result in their arrest and a fine of up to £5,000 or three months imprisonment.”

Police have organised a public meeting for Earby residents including young people to discuss the issues.

The meeting will be held at 6.30pm on Friday, September 23 in the Earby Community Centre, New Road, Earby.

Earby resident Michael Worden praised the officers and said: “It fills me with confidence to see positive action taken on something that personally affects my life in such a big way.

“I think we are very lucky to have a policing team so dedicated to protecting us and our rights.”

Kirsty Holden supported the action in Burnley town centre.

She said on Facebook: “Finally, something is being done.

“I went to the library with my two daughters a couple of weeks ago and there must of been at least 20 of them, shouting, drinking and swearing.

“My youngest ran past them with her hands over her ears as she was that scared.”