SHOPKEEPERS expressed their concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour to Shadow Home Secretary MP Chris Grayling during his visit to East Lancashire yesterday.

The Conservative politician met residents in Haslingden as part of his campaign to back the prospective MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden Karen Buckley.

After speaking to Robert Morris, owner of Greenfields fruit and vegetable shop and Brenda Bottomley, owner of Head’s Above salon, Mr Grayling said: “It’s clear that the town of Haslingden is under-policed.

“There are around 20,000 people here and from what I have heard the locals do not even see a uniformed police officer most of the time.

“One of the problems with the current set up is too many police officers are stuck behind desks and not out on the streets.”

Residents told the MP about recent incidents of burglaries, vandalism and anti-social behaviour in and around Deardengate.