ARRESTS have been made following a crime clampdown by Rossendale police after an increase in juvenile nuisance in Haslingden and Helmshore.

Police have increased patrols in the areas by altering shift paterns and relocating staff and specials and also introducing a mobile CCTV camera to carry out surveillance.

There was a sharp increase in the number of juvenile nuisance incidents, windows being smashed, cars damaged and minor criminal damage.

Rossendale West Insp Roger Ravenscroft, said: "We are making inroads into the problem in those areas and we have identified a lot of offenders who we believe are responsible for problems.

"We have seen a reduction in the number of juvenile nuisance-related crimes in those areas and some arrests were made this weekend.

"We would take similar action in Rossendale wherever we identified a problem."

He said the medium to long term solutions would be to pursue Anti Social Behaviour Contracts and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts.

Long term, the police will be looking to work with other partners to look at ways of tackling nuisance in accordance with the Rossendale Crime Prevention Strategy.