ROSSENDALE'S MP has expressed concern over what has been described as the 'too lenient' sentencing of local magistrates.

In a national survey carried out last year, Rossendale Magistrates was criticised for being too soft on offenders.

At the time, Inspector Dave Robinson of Pennine Police claimed that offenders were repeatedly allowed back into the community where they kept on re-offending.

Janet Anderson, who represents Rossendale and Darwen, has written to fellow MP Michael Wills on behalf of two constituents, who wrote to her expressing their concern.

As Parliamentary Secretary to the Lord Chancellor, Mr Wills' department are responsible for looking into sentencing matters.

Janet said: "It was part of a national survey and Rossendale was one of the most lenient.

"I wrote to Mr Wills asking if there was anything that could be done to ensure greater consistency in the sentencing of magistrates."

"The police in my constituency get fed up when they manage to arrest someone, get the evidence they think will secure a conviction and then see that the magistrates are too lenient with their sentencing."

June Forshaw, a magistrate for Rossendale, said: "We follow national guidelines which take in people's ability to pay.

"If people haven't got the means to pay a heavy fine, then there is not much point in imposing one."

Anne Cheetham, Chairman of the Enforcement Panel responsible for ensuring that people pay their fines said: "As far as Rossendale and our jurisdiction is concerned, for those who we would consider imposing a custodial sentence on their cases are transferred to Burnley because we come under Pennine Division."

Anne defended the record of Rossendale Magistrates, again saying that national guidelines were followed. Janet is still for a response from the Lord Chancellor's office to see if anything can be changed.