YOUTH activities in an area of East Lancs are being launched or planned after calls for new youth club-type services following concerns over anti-social incidents.

And action against dangerous drivers is planned, against a backdrop of speeding and road accidents around Barnoldswick, Earby and the A56.

PC Gareth Ingham updated West Craven area committee on issues including crime, anti-social behaviour and traffic incidents.

Earlier this year, anti-social behaviour by youngsters was said to be a problem in Barnoldswick and nearby. Reports included youngsters allegedly harassing old people at home, gatecrashing a brass band rehearsal, using e-cigarettes and age-restricted drinks and causing disturbances.

Councillors believed there was a lack of youth clubs and informal meeting places for youngsters.

Police reports now suggest anti-social behaviour has fallen, with 16 reported West Craven incidents in November compared with 34 in November last year.

Councillors highlighted new developments for youngsters in the area including Earby. The town council has been liaising with other people in Earby and their are hopes for new boxing sessions. There are also ambitions to set up a youth club.

Lib-Dem Cllr Tom Whipp said there could be good opportunities for police to engage with youngsters at future events in positive ways.

Lib-Dem Cllr David Whipp, area committee chairman and deputy leader of Pendle Council, said: “We have also got some sessional youth work starting in Earby, one night a week.

"We’re agitating for the New Road Community Centre to be used by Lancashire County Council as a proper youth club.”

Regarding road safety, speeding and accidents, hot-spots included the A56, Skipton Road in Barnoldswick. the B6251 and straight sections of roads around Barnoldswick. Earby and Salterforth.

Lib-Dem Cllr Mick Strickland said the fire service is getting involved with car safety activity, adding: "The fire service is going to put on some awareness courses about safer driving and host other activities at locations including Barnoldswick. We are busy behind the scenes and hopefully after Christmas there will be activities in Barnoldswick and Earby.”

Tom Hardman, chairman of Earby Town Council, said: “We have got new automatic speed-watch cameras. These record data about vehicles and speeds. We don’t have the power to prosecute but we can pass the data to the police. For example, if a BMW goes along a section of road at 50mph every day, we can send that information to police.”

PC Ingham said different traffic speed equipment was available. Police needed calibrated equipment for court prosecutions.

He added:  “The police could send warning letters to motorists based on your machine’s data, saying their cars have been clocked speeding and telling drivers to behave properly. If there are thousands of vehicles recorded, that might be tricky to manage. But we could focus on local vehicles.”

He also said Lancashire Police’s traffic division has new equipment and requests could be made for it to be used in the West Craven area.