CALLS are being made to increase police patrols at a park following a series of anti-social incidents.

Cllr Gareth Molineux said he has been inundated with complaints from residents about issues at Memorial Park in Great Harwood.

Complaints have included the use of ‘illegal substances’ being passed between cars and littering.

Cllr Molineux has written to the neighbourhood inspector for Hyndburn and also council officers urging them to take action.

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The Great Harwood councillor said: “It’s really frustrating, it’s been an on going problem.

“It’s designated as a place of respect for people who gave their lives in the First World War.

“People have been littering all over the pavilion, there’s been alcohol bottles, and it’s metres away from bins.

“People have also come to me about seeing dealing of illegal substances.

“We’ve spent a lot of money to improve the park over recent years.

“But it’s often a place where young people will meet up, it’s quite dark and undercover.

“Since youth centres have closed there is nothing for young people to do so they go to places like this.”

Cllr Molineux said he has received a response Insp Pam Holgate promising to increase patrols in the area.

Friends of Memorial Park have invested a lot of time into the park and have planted trees and put in new memorial benches.

Ian Wilkinson, the group chairman, said the decline of community policing has led to issues to the area.

He said: “It’s only going to get worse.

“We used to be on first name terms with police officers in the town.

“I’m a bit disgusted.”

Park user Lindsay Riley, 45, of Coronation Street, Great Harwood, said: “I think it’s a terrible, on going problem, that blights our beautiful park.

“If if wasn’t for a group that walk the park at different times, doing their best to keep it tidy, it would be an absolute disgrace because of what these people do.

“Its not just a ‘one off’ its a regular thing."

The calls for extra policing comes as Great Harwood Police station closed permanently last month as the force looks to meet Government budget cuts.

Speaking at the time of the station closure, a police spokesman said the number of officers patrolling the area would remain unchanged.

A Lancashire police spokesman said: “We have been made aware of the issues at Memorial Park in Great Harwood.

"Officers will be increasing patrols in the area.

"I would urge anyone with information about those responsible to contact police directly on 101."

Hyndburn Council said it would be notifying it's parks department to look into and monitor the situation.