MORE than 100 police offers have carried out a major operation to close down a waste site which has been plaguing neighbours with nuisance fires.

The closure notice was served at TH Smith & Sons Ltd, in Alan Ramsbottom Way in Great Harwood, after dozens of reports from people concerned about activities at with the site.

The police or council can issue a closure notice if they are ‘’satisfied on reasonable grounds: that the use of particular premises has resulted in nuisance to members of the public’.

After the closure notice is served, a longer-term closure order is applied for at court. A closure order lasts for up to three months.

The joint action was taken by Lancashire Police, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, the Environment Agency and Hyndburn Borough Council.

This comes just a fortnight after former director, Mary Louise Smith was convicted of five offences after they repeatedly accepted Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE), when they were only permitted to handle scrap vehicles.

The case was adjourned until October 2 for sentence.

A police spokesman said: “We have taken action to try to address the concerns which the public have rightly been raising with us.

“We understand and share the public’s frustration. Numerous attempts have been made to address the concerns and prevent these activities which have included visits and enforcement activities but as we have not seen the and this action has been necessary.”

The notice was served under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: “This operation shows the police taking strong action to prevent a nuisance that has blighted the community in Great Harwood for a long time.

“Many people have raised concerns about anti-social behaviour linked to the site and today it has been closed down. I hope that this notice will allow all partners to work at ensuring that the site remains trouble-free.

He said people with concerns should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”